Captain Jack Snuffles and the Coughing Crew help fight asthma

The puppet show is almost over, and the preschoolers are focused on Captain Jack’s antics. Captain Jack commands the stage. “Aargh, little fish, what does the red in the  air quality index mean?”
“Red means it’s a bad day,” shouts a child. “Everyone should stay inside,” adds another.
After the performance, the kids line up with paper and pencil determined to get autographs from the puppets. “Can we see the play again?” says a little girl. “I want to be screened by the doctor.”
March 21 is National Day of Puppetry, and researchers in the Loma Linda University School of Public Health are using puppets to help fight asthma and to teach lessons about the importance of exercise, diet and other health topics.....

Read more here: news.llu.edu

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Thousands of thunderstorm asthma victims had never suffered lung condition

ALMOST half of Victorians caught up in last November’s deadly thunderstorm asthma event had never been diagnosed with the lung condition and were unaware of appropriate first aid measures.
A survey of victims of the freak weather event has highlighted a lack of public awareness of asthma’s potentially fatal complications.
The storm, a rare blend of a high pollen count, northerly winds and humid conditions, claimed nine lives and landed 8500 people in hospital.....

Read more here: heraldsun.com.au

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Asthma study hopes to improve disease management among Valley children

Two years ago, Ofelia Vidal was bringing her son Julian to the emergency room half a dozen times a month.
Anytime he coughed; anytime he started breathing heavily; anytime he appeared at all distressed, the worried mother rushed him to the hospital. She didn’t know what else to do.
But now, after participating in asthma programs through Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic over the past year, Vidal and her 6-year-old son have the education and the tools to confidently manage his asthma at home.....

Read more here: yakimaherald.com