Why Do Latinos Struggle with Asthma?



Latinos are at high risk for asthma because prevalence, illness and deaths are strongly correlated with urban air quality, indoor allergens, lack of patient education and inadequate medical care, according to an American Lung Association report. Both asthma and allergies are caused by the body's immune response to environmental triggers, such that some allergens can also trigger asthma, according to Kaiser Permanente. Other irritants can trigger asthma, too, such as the flu. So what can Latinos do? To make an action plan, visit Kaiser Permanente's bilingual website. You can also check out Spanish-language resources from the American Lung Association: Breathe Well, Live Well is an adult asthma self-management education program led by an American Lung Association-trained ...

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Helping Smokers Quit: Tobacco Cessation Coverage 2011



Check out the American Lung Association's annual Helping Smokers Quit: Tobacco Cessation Coverage report. The new report documents the coverage of quit smoking programs and treatments available in each state and from the federal government and identifies the most and least quit-friendly states in the country. Additionally, the report documents significant advances in the ongoing federal health care overhaul and other federal policies that will offer millions help in ending their deadly tobacco addiction. It also recognizes states that are making progress in this life-and-death effort and calls on policymakers at all levels to make quit-smoking services an urgent priority. Read the full report ...

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