Preparing for School Asthma Readiness  학교 내 천식 대응 준비하기

Children and youth spend a large part of their days in school, so it is critical that schools are asthma-friendly and prepared for students with asthma. According to the American Lung Association, elements of an “asthma-friendly school” broadly include reducing sources of asthma triggers, providing asthma education for students, school staff, and parents and caregivers, and providing appropriate opportunities for physical activity for students with exercise-induced asthma.¹ Addressing asthma triggers in schools can include steps such as using air filtration to improve indoor air quality, monitoring outdoor air quality with tools such as www.airnow.gov to guide outdoor activities, and minimizing exposures to diesel exhaust from unnecessary school bus idling. Asthma education can involve providing self-management education and reinforcing appropriate inhaler techniques. Asthma-friendly physical activity strategies can include providing physical education teachers and coaches with training on symptom recognition and appropriate responses.