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Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics Announces New Laws Protecting Students' Right to Breathe

Posted on: Monday, 22 August 2005, 12:00 CDT

FAIRFAX, Va., Aug. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- As students with asthma and anaphylaxis head back to school this fall, Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA) urges parents and students to learn about new state laws affecting students' rights to carry and use lifesaving medications.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050822/NYM037 )

Zero-tolerance drug policies established in the 1980s and 90s to combat illegal drug use at school had the unintended consequence of preventing children with asthma and anaphylaxis timely access to their medications. Medication policies or laws varied from one school, district or state to another. Lifesaving medications frequently were locked in school clinics, which most often were staffed by volunteers or administrative staff, not school nurses. Tragically, each school year, students died while trying to access their medications during a breathing emergency.

"Most people don't understand that asthma symptoms and anaphylaxis are breathing emergencies; even momentary treatment delays can be deadly," said Nancy Sander, AANMA president. "Just as we teach our children to look both ways before they cross the street, we must teach them how to prevent and respond to symptoms responsibly at home, school and play."

Because asthma and anaphylaxis are serious, potentially life-threatening conditions, physicians teach patients to carry prescribed medications at all times and to treat symptoms early to prevent crisis situations. To close the gap between school policies and the medical needs of students with asthma and anaphylaxis, AANMA asked Congress for help.

When Representatives Cliff Stearns (R-FL) and Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) cosponsored the Asthmatic Schoolchildren's Treatment and Health Management Act of 2004 (ASTHMA 2004), only 18 states had laws protecting students with asthma and 9 had laws protecting students with anaphylaxis. ASTHMA 2004 was signed into law last October. Today, 46 states now have laws protecting students with asthma; 35 have laws protecting students with anaphylaxis.

"Parents and students should become familiar with new state laws, complete the required health care forms and talk with school personnel about ways to prevent and manage symptoms of breathing emergencies at school," added Memphis allergist Michael Blaiss, MD, past president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. "Students who carry and use their own asthma and/or anaphylaxis medications should continue to keep a back-up supply of medications in the school nurse's station or clinic."

To ensure a safe school year, parents and students should check the status of state laws and order AANMA's free "Asthma and Allergies at School" kit.

Visit AANMA's City Hall Web page at http://www.breatherville.org/cityhall for more information on students and medication at school and to see where each state stands on students' rights to carry and use prescribed lifesaving medications.

AANMA's "Asthma and Allergies at School" kit provides essential tips and tools parents and students need when talking to teachers, coaches, bus drivers and school administrators about asthma and/or anaphylaxis. Families can order their FREE copy by calling AANMA at 800.878.4403.

Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating suffering and death due to asthma, allergies and related conditions. Founded in 1985, AANMA's core areas of expertise are education, advocacy and outreach. AANMA's flagship publications -- Allergy & Asthma Today magazine and The MA Report newsletter -- and Breatherville.org Web site are consumer lifelines to medical news and healthy living. Contact AANMA at 800.878.4403 or visit http://www.breatherville.org/.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050822/NYM037AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics

CONTACT: Dawn Merritt, +1-703-641-9595, x109, for Allergy & AsthmaNetwork Mothers of Asthmatics

Web site: http://www.breatherville.org/http://www.breatherville.org/cityhall

Source: PRNewswire

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