Asthma - Philadelphia Allies Against Asthma Coalition
The Philadelphia Allies Against Asthma Coalition (PAAA) formed in 2000 to fight the rise of asthma in children living in the city. The Coalition consists of over 90 members representing more than 40 organizations including health care systems, providers, schools, insurers, community based agencies, nursing centers, state and local heath departments and parent/caregivers. Health Promotion Council is the lead agency for the PAAA. Coalition members actively participate on various committees and volunteer for special assignments.
PAAA’s programs include services that assist families in accessing healthcare services, asthma education, home-visits for trigger remediation, and social service support. These programs include the following:
The Child Asthma Link Line
The Child Asthma Link Line (Asthma Link Line) is community-based telephone center designed to coordinate the medical appointments, asthma education, and other services for parents of children of asthma. The Asthma Link Line also helps uninsured families obtain health insurance. The Asthma Link Line is a free program and can be accessed by calling 1-866-610-6000.
Asthma Action Plan
The Philadelphia Allies Against Asthma Coalition in collaboration with AmeriChoice, Health Partners, and Keystone Mercy Health Plan developed a standardized Asthma Action Plan (AAP). The AAP is an asthma management plan designed for children with asthma to be completed by a health care provider. PAAA has distributed the AAP to over 600 providers in Philadelphia.
Education Services
To educate caregivers and children with asthma on ways to control this disease, PAAA offers the following asthma education programs: Asthma Classes for Adults All About Asthma, Asthma Awareness Day and Smokeless Homes.
Asthma Classes for Adults
Free classes are available for adults with asthma. These classes are held at various community locations in the City. This program is a series of 4 classes addressing topics such as medications and devices, psychosocial issues, and asthma action plans. Upon completion of the class series participants receive a certificate of completion and incentives.
All About Asthma
All About Asthma is an asthma awareness and educational presentation developed for parents, community members, daycare providers, and teachers. It is a comprehensive user-friendly 45 minute presentation addressing the following five topics: 1) What is asthma? 2) Asthma triggers 3) Asthma medications and devices 4) Controlling asthma and 5) Asthma resources in the community.
Asthma Awareness Day
Asthma Awareness Day is a school-based program developed by PAAA members and partners to increase awareness and educate students and their families about asthma. Asthma Awareness Day includes hands-on learning stations that educate small groups using games and activities. These activities explain what asthma is, its triggers, medications, devices, and control methods. In addition, students and their families are informed about various asthma programs, such as the Asthma Link Line, Asthma Camp, and other services.
Smokeless Homes
Smoke from tobacco can trigger asthma attacks. More than half of children with asthma live in homes with an adult who smokes. Our Smokeless Homes program reaches out to parents and gives them tips on how to keep tobacco smoke away from their asthmatic children.
To Learn More About PAAC, call the Philadelphia Allies Against Asthma Coalition at (215) 731-6150 or visit the website at http://www.hpcpa.org/paaa.html. Community members are welcome to join. All services and presentations are available in English and Spanish.
PAAA is determined to find ways to help children with asthma stay healthy!
PAAA is funded by: Pennsylvania Department of Health, The Philadelphia Foundation, STEPS to a Healthier Philadelphia , AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Philadelphia Health Management Corporation, The United Way, and the Aetna Foundation.
A project of the Health Promotion Council, http://www.hpcpa.org