Existing Policies Related to Asthma and Schools in New England: Overview

Thursday, October 16th, 2014

Annie Rushman, MSPH, Asthma Regional Council

New England States – Policies in Schools

• Four of the six New England states made the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s Honor Roll• Report looks at 23 state level policies/regulations on medication, awareness and school environment

State Score

CT 21

VT 21

MA 20

RI 20

NH 16

ME 15

• Asthma Medications– Self carry – all states have policies to ensure students’

right to carry and self administer prescribed asthma meds

– Back up meds

Asthma Medication & Treatment

• Asthma Action Plan– Utilized to allow schools to

dispense medication • Emergency protocol on

asthma at the school level

Asthma Medication & Treatment

• Only CT and ME mandate that all schools must have IAQ management policies

• States require various components of IAQ polices – HVAC inspections, pesticide use, IPM, etc

Indoor Air Quality

• Green Cleaning– Education of green cleaning

products– Not all require purchase/use

Indoor Air Quality

•Integrated Pest Management- New England states all at least promote use of IPM

• School bus idling– Limiting bus idling to reduce exhaust

• Smoke free– Tobacco-free policies on school grounds

• School Wellness Policy – including environmental health in school wellness– Boston Public Schools

Other

• Programs and policies across all the New England states that are improving asthma control through environmental and medical pathways

Next: Innovations in Practice