United States

Environmental Protection 

Agency

Asthma Awareness Month

Contents

 Dear Asthma Awareness Month Partner:

Each May, thousands of organizations join together for Asthma Awareness Month to 

increase public awareness of the asthma epidemic and to take action to get asthma under 

control in communities across the nation. Asthma affects approximately 23 million 

people of all ages and races. And, though asthma is widespread, public awareness of 

common asthma triggers and effective asthma management strategies remains limited. 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed this Event Planning Kit to 

equip state and local asthma programs to hold community-based asthma awareness and 

action events during Asthma Awareness Month. Inside you will find ideas and helpful tips 

for planning and running powerful community asthma events. Be sure to check out the 

event spotlights to learn about successful efforts other communities had in the past. You 

will also find sample materials and a resource order form to use at your events.

Hundreds of asthma awareness events will take place across the United States this May. 

EPA can help publicize your event on our Web site and AsthmaCommunityNetwork.

org – our national asthma community’s Online Network. Either submit your event 

online (http://asthmaevents.cadmusweb.com) or fill out and mail the form on p. 16 

and your event will be listed on our national event map and the events calendar on 

AsthmaCommunityNetwork.org. Also, please send in any photos or videos taken at your 

event and we will highlight them on our Web site as well. We value your feedback on the 

usefulness of the enclosed materials and welcome any suggestions for future materials.

Also, in the spirit of Asthma Awareness Month, please consider becoming part of a 

growing network of community programs committed to improving the lives of people 

with asthma by joining AsthmaCommunityNetwork.org. As a member of this network 

you will have access to the latest resources and tools to help you build, sustain and spread 

your asthma program. Join today and begin interacting with others who, like you, are 

leading the nation in delivery of quality asthma care.

On behalf of EPA, I would like to thank you for working to increase asthma awareness 

and action in your community and for sponsoring an Asthma Awareness Month event. 

We look forward to assisting you with planning your asthma education events and hearing 

about your success! Working together, we can help communities take control of asthma.

Sincerely,

Kim Durkin

Asthma Awareness Month Coordinator

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Ideas for Asthma 

Awareness Activities.........2

Plan an Asthma Education 

Event in Your School..........4

Ten Ways to Manage 

Asthma in Your School......5

Plan an Asthma Education 

Event at a Local Hospital or 

Clinic....................................... 6

Plan an Asthma Education 

Event at a Local Library....7

Plan an Asthma Education 

Event at Your State 

Capitol.................................... 8

Asthma Education Ideas 

for Health Insurers 

and Managed Care 

Organizations ......................9

Media Outreach................ 10

Asthma Facts .................... 12

Sample Proclamation From 

a Local Official .................. 13

Press Release Template.. 14

National Organizations and 

EPA Regional Contacts..... 15

Event Listing Form........... 16

Materials Order Form..... 17

EPA 402-K-03-003

Event Planning Kit

May is 
2

Asthma Awareness Month Event Planning Kit

	Hold an asthma awareness event that is open to the public with elected officials and 

local celebrities. Ask your governor or mayor to issue an Asthma Awareness Month 

proclamation (see template on page 13). Have an EPA or health official make a brief 

presentation on asthma and your organization’s efforts to combat the disease. 

Issue a press release announcing the event (see template on page 14). 

	Sponsor an asthma awareness event in your area or state capitol. Use 

AsthmaCommunityNetwork.org to connect and collaborate with local health 

care professionals and community organizations in order to pool resources 

and increase attention and publicity for the event. 

	Find out if any local leaders or celebrities have asthma and ask them to 

participate in your event.

	Arrange to display and distribute asthma educational materials at local sporting events 

(e.g., baseball, soccer).

	Ask local television and radio stations to include EPA’s asthma and secondhand smoke 

public service announcements in their programming.

	Schedule local TV and radio interviews to talk about asthma and your organization’s 

programs to educate the public on the role environmental asthma triggers play in the 

exacerbation of asthma.

 Schedule an asthma event and post it on the calendar of events on 

AsthmaCommunityNetwork.org. Or broadcast it on social media channels like Twitter 

and Facebook. Just set up an account and spread the word! 

 Contact area health insurers and managed care organizations to promote 

asthma education (see page 9 for a list of possible activities). 

	Contact the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) or the Asthma and 

Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) to arrange professional educational 

seminars, such as AAFA’s “Asthma Management and Education Program,” for 

health professionals.

	Introduce local schools to the Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Kit to protect all 

children from asthma triggers.

	Contact state or local education associations for support in sponsoring asthma 

awareness activities in your local schools.

	Sponsor an asthma walkathon. Invite local partners, hospitals, and pharmaceutical 

companies to provide asthma educational displays and materials. 

2

May is Asthma Awareness Month!

There is no better time to promote asthma education, including management of environmental triggers. 

Join EPA to plan an educational event for your community. Things to do include:

Asthma Awareness 

Activities
3

Event Planning Kit Asthma Awareness Month

 Start a forum discussion about your event 

on AsthmaCommunityNetwork.org and 

encourage other members to attend and 

promote it through their communication 

channels.

	Contact area university medical schools and/

or allied health programs such as nursing, 

respiratory therapy, or pharmacy to get 

their students involved in your event.

	Hold an asthma health fair offering free 

pulmonary screenings and education 

on environmental asthma triggers and 

management. Ask local partners, hospitals, 

and pharmaceutical companies to provide 

educational displays and materials. 

	Ask local hospitals, clinics, doctors’ offices, 

and pharmacies to display and distribute 

asthma educational materials.

 Invite people to attend your event by using 

social media outlets like Twitter and Facebook.

	Arrange to display and distribute asthma educational brochures at public libraries, 

community centers, or other popular places. 

	Ask local chapters of health professional organizations (i.e., respiratory therapists, nurses, 

pulmonologists, and pediatricians) to include articles in their newsletters on the role 

environmental asthma triggers play in the development and exacerbation of asthma, and 

encourage them to incorporate environmental control in their patients’ asthma management 

plans. 

Ideas for Asthma Awareness Activities (continued) 

Communities in Action 

Event Planning Kit Asthma Awareness Month

3

2010 National Asthma Forum: Sharing, 

Learning, and Taking Action Together

Join asthma leaders from across 

the nation to share best practices 

and discuss effective strategies for 

managing asthma in your community. 

Attend EPA’s Communities in Action for 

Asthma-Friendly Environments National 

Forum from June 17-18, 2010 in 

Washington, D.C.

AsthmaCommunityNetwork.org serves as 

a year-round resource for mentoring and 

collaboration. It’s designed to provide the 

tools, information, and partners to support 

your asthma management program. 

Visit the site and join us!

www.AsthmaCommunityNetwork.org

Event Spotlight: Asthma Fair & Healthy Lung 

Village

Where and when did the event take place?

Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on May 9, 2009. 

What happened at the event?

The 10th Annual Asthma Fair & Healthy Lung Village brought 

together doctors, nurses, and respiratory therapists to answer 

questions. Vendors, entertainment, children’s activities, and 

Pittsburgh Steelers players were there for a day of fun and 

education. 

What resources were used for the event?

Prizes, raffles, and free resources, such as brochures, posters, 

and handouts from local doctor’s offices and the American 

Respiratory Alliance of Western Pennsylvania were given out to 

increase community awareness about the importance of healthy 

lungs.

How did this event help raise asthma awareness?

Almost 3,000 people from the area attended and took part in the 

available activities, gaining knowledge about asthma and other 

respiratory illnesses.

Join the Asthma Community Network! 
4

Asthma Awareness Month Event Planning Kit

May is Asthma Awareness Month!

There is no better time to promote asthma education, especially management of environmental triggers. Join EPA to plan 

an educational event for staff, parents, and students at a local school. To do this, you will need the support of the school 

or district administration, school nurse, and other key staff. Things to do include:

 Plan asthma educational activities at the school:

	 Offer asthma education on environmental asthma 

triggers and management during in-service days for 

teachers, custodians, and other school staff;

	 Offer asthma education for parents at local PTA/PTO 

meetings or other similar events;

	 Read children’s books on asthma to students, such as 

Taking Asthma to School, Zoo Allergy, and The ABC’s of 

Asthma, by Kim Gosselin;

	 Arrange a school-wide assembly with guest speakers, 

such as kids with asthma, local celebrities, TV 

personalities, or local doctors or politicians;

	 Organize an asthma poster contest for children;

	 Coordinate with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of 

America (AAFA) to launch a Power Breathing Program 

for middle and high school students with asthma;

	 Sponsor a staff breakfast or lunch and introduce the 

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Tools for Schools Program;

	 Design asthma awareness bulletin boards or other 

displays for students and staff;

	 Encourage teachers to incorporate asthma and the 

environment into appropriate curricula, e.g., science 

and health;

	 Include asthma awareness information in school 

newsletters and other packets sent home to parents/

guardians; and

	 Conduct a walkthrough of your school to determine 

if asthma triggers exist. If triggers are found, 

a remediation plan should be developed and 

implemented as soon as possible. See the IAQ Tools for 

Schools Kit for assistance.

Event Spotlight: Latino Forum for 

Parents of Children with Asthma

Where and when did the event take place?

Eastern Middle School in Silver Spring, Maryland on 

May 30, 2009.

What happened?

The Latino Health Initiative hosted a forum for 

parents of children with asthma to discuss three 

issues identified as barriers to controlling their 

children’s asthma. They discussed how to select 

an appropriate Managed Care Organization, work 

with the school nurse to manage children’s asthma, 

and involve the community in establishing a healthy 

neighborhood.

What resources were used for the event?

EPA materials and a brochure and newsletter from the 

Latino Health Initiative were distributed.

How did this event help raise asthma awareness?

The Forum educated 42 parents and 54 children on 

strategies and techniques to manage their asthma.

	Recruit local sponsors to provide giveaways 

or support. Potential sponsors include 

area businesses and organizations—such 

as the local chapter of the American Lung 

Association (ALA) or AAFA—that may assist 

in asthma events or trainings.

	Publicize your event(s) and Asthma Awareness 

Month on the school bulletin board or Web 

site, in the school newsletter, in state and local 

education association newsletters, flyers, PTA 

announcements, local media, and social media 

Web sites like AsthmaCommunityNetwork.org, 

Twitter, and Facebook.org.

Asthma Education Event in Your School

Plan an
5

Event Planning Kit Asthma Awareness Month

	Asthma educational materials are available for students, teachers, nurses, school officials, parents, and the 

community. EPA’s materials are free!

	 “Clear Your Home of Asthma Triggers” brochure

	 “Dusty and His Asthma Triggers” children’s funbook – available in English and Spanish

	 “Breathing Freely: Controlling Asthma Triggers” video – available in English and Spanish

	 “Help Your Child Gain Control Over Asthma” – available in English and Spanish

See the order form on page 17 or go to www.epa.gov/asthma

How to Plan an Asthma Education Event in Your School (continued) 

Ten Ways to Manage Asthma in the School Environment

Use the IAQ Tools for Schools Kit

	 Improve the school environment with Indoor Air 

Quality (IAQ) practices recommended in this 

Kit. To order the free Kit, go to www.epa.gov/

iaq/schools. 

Control Animal Allergens

 Remove warm-blooded animals from the 

classroom and school. 

Control Cockroach Allergens

 Use integrated pest management practices to 

prevent cockroach and other pest problems (e.g., 

store food in tightly sealed containers and place 

dumpsters away from the building).

Clean Up Mold and Control Moisture

	 Fix moisture problems and thoroughly dry 

wet areas within 24-48 hours to prevent mold 

growth.

	 Clean up hard, moldy surfaces with water and 

detergent, and then dry thoroughly. 

Eliminate Secondhand Smoke Exposure

	 Enforce no-smoking policies in the school. 

Reduce Dust Mite Exposure

	 Make sure the school is dusted and vacuumed 

thoroughly and regularly. 

Develop an Asthma Management Plan

	 Include school policies on inhaler and other 

medication usage and emergency procedures for 

school staff to follow for asthma attacks. 

	 Make sure students with asthma obtain and 

turn in copies of their Asthma Action Cards to 

teachers, the school nurse, etc.

	 Encourage students to identify and manage their 

asthma triggers.

	 Obtain the National Asthma Education and 

Prevention Program’s Managing Asthma: A Guide for 

Schools at www.nhlbi.nih.gov.

Provide School-Based Asthma Education

Programs

	 Contact your local American Lung Association about 

Open Airways for Schools, a school-based asthma 

management program for students age 

8-11.

	 Contact the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of 

America about Asthma Care Training for Kids and 

Parents, an education program for kids age 7-12.

Reduce School Bus Diesel Exhaust

	 Replace the oldest buses in the fleet with new ones.

	 Install effective emission control systems on newer 

buses.

 Encourage policies and practices to eliminate 

unnecessary school bus idling.

	 Visit www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus to learn more 

about EPA’s Clean School Bus USA Program.

Gather Additional Asthma Resources

	 Establish a complete file on existing asthma and 

allergy-related information sources to reference 

throughout the school year.

	 Ask the National Association of School Nurses to offer 

their course, Managing Asthma Triggers, to nurses in 

your district. www.nasn.org

	 Visit EPA’s asthma Web site at 

www.epa.gov/asthma.

 Visit the AsthmaCommunityNetwork.org Resource 

Bank to find additional publications that 

can help you raise awareness on asthma.

7

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10

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3

4

5

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1
6

Asthma Awareness Month Event Planning Kit

	Conduct asthma educational trainings and 

coordinate activities at the local hospital or clinic:

	 Offer asthma education on environmental asthma 

triggers and management;

	 Incorporate asthma into health fairs;

	 Educate parents on asthma and the risks of 

secondhand smoke; and

	 Provide guest speakers—such as asthma patients, 

doctors, nurses, or TV personalities—to describe 

how to live with asthma. 

	Recruit local sponsors to provide giveaways 

or support. Potential sponsors include area 

businesses and organizations—such as the local 

chapter of the American Lung Association—that 

may assist in asthma events or trainings. Use 

AsthmaCommunityNetwork.org to connect with 

possible sponsors.

	Contact the Asthma and Allergy Foundation 

of America about conducting an “Asthma 

Management and Education” training for health 

professionals who educate and care for patients 

with asthma.

	Contact the American Association for Respiratory 

Care (AARC) to obtain the “Environmental 

Triggers of Asthma” CD-Rom continuing 

education course for respiratory therapists.

	Issue press releases and publicize your event in 

newsletters, patient information packets, and on social 

media sites like AsthmaCommunityNetwork.org, 

Twitter, and Facebook. Or schedule a press conference 

with local media. 

And remember...

	Distribute asthma materials to patients, hospital 

or clinic staff, and families with prescriptions. The 

following are some of the free asthma education 

resources available to you:

	 “Clear Your Home of Asthma Triggers” brochure;

	 “Dusty and His Asthma Triggers” children’s 

funbook;

	 “Breathing Freely: Controlling Asthma Triggers” 

video; 

	 “Help Your Child Gain Control Over Asthma” 

booklet; and

	 Asthma public service announcements

at a Local Hospital or Clinic

May is Asthma Awareness Month!

There is no better time to promote asthma education, including management of environmental triggers. Join EPA to plan 

an educational event for staff, patients, and the public at a local hospital or clinic. To do this, you will need the support of 

hospital or clinic management and key staff. Things to do include:

Event Spotlight: Blow the Whistle on Asthma

Where and when did the event take place?

The Children’s Hospital at HealthPark Medical Center in 

Fort Myers, Florida on May 20, 2009.

What happened at the event? 

There were multiple learning stations staffed by nursing staff, 

a pharmacist, and respiratory therapists that highlighted 

pediatric asthma education and control strategies. 

What resources were used for the event? 

The pharmacist handed out personalized medication cards, and the 

respiratory therapist passed out information about red tides as 

well as peak flow meters. Representatives from the American 

Lung Association visited and distributed hand-outs. Quest for 

the Code, an online interactive children’s game by the Starlight 

Children’s Foundation, was also featured as a multi-media 

resource.

How did this event help raise asthma awareness? 

Roughly 100 adults, children, and staff stopped by the booth to 

learn about asthma. 

Asthma Education Event

Plan an
7

Event Planning Kit Asthma Awareness Month

Plan an

Asthma Education Event

at a Local Library

May is Asthma Awareness Month!

There is no better time to promote asthma education, including management of environmental triggers. Join EPA to plan 

an educational event for children and the community at a local library. To do this, you will need the support of the library 

staff, particularly the Director of Children’s Programming. Things to do include:

	Schedule a children’s reading time dedicated to 

asthma. Consider reading the following books, 

written by Kim Gosselin:

	 Taking Asthma to School;

	 Zoo Allergy; and

	 The ABC’s of Asthma.

	Publicize your event in local media, library 

newsletters, flyers, on bulletin boards, and social 

media sites like AsthmaCommunityNetwork.org, 

Twitter, and Facebook.

	Plan a book fair with a health theme. Invite 

local expert speakers to provide “mini-seminars” 

on asthma and related topics at the library 

throughout the day.

	Host a family fun night with stories, movies, 

refreshments, and games like asthma bingo.

	Create an asthma display in a prominent location 

in the library. Provide asthma materials for 

library visitors to learn more.

And remember...

	Distribute asthma materials to library visitors. 

Free EPA materials are available to you in both 

English and Spanish:

	 “Clear Your Home of Asthma Triggers” 

brochure;

	 “Dusty and His Asthma Triggers” children’s 

funbook;

	 “Breathing Freely: Controlling Asthma Triggers” 

video; 

	 “Help Your Child Gain Control Over Asthma” 

booklet; and

	 Asthma public service announcements

Event Spotlight: Asthma Education Display 

Where and when did the event take place?

Bethlehem Public Library in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 

during the month of May 2009. 

What happened at the event? 

The library displayed a collection of asthma books by the front 

desk geared towards children. Titles included Mostly Monty, 

the fictional story of a 6 year old with asthma, and Zack Has 

Asthma, a non-fiction book portraying Zack’s experience with 

asthma. Each week a local college student would stop in hand out 

educational materials regarding asthma.

What resources were used for the event? 

Educational handouts from St. Luke’s Hospital and Health Network 

were available.

How did this event help raise asthma awareness? 

Parents, children, and individuals could get informative materials as 

well as read and check out a selection of about 10 books and one 

DVD related to asthma. 
8

Asthma Awareness Month Event Planning Kit PLAN AN 

AT YOUR STATE 

May is Asthma Awareness Month!

There is no better time to promote asthma education, including 

management of environmental triggers. Join EPA to plan an 

educational event in your state’s capitol building. To do this, 

you will need the support of government officials and local 

communities. Things to do include:

	Contact your state legislator to sponsor your event. His/

Her office can help you obtain space in the state capitol 

building. You will most likely be asked to coordinate 

details with the capitol’s operations office.

	Sponsor education activities in the state capitol 

building. Rally local member organizations on 

AsthmaCommunityNetwork.org in order to pool 

resources and increase attention and publicity for 

the event.

	Issue an asthma proclamation (see sample on page 13).

	Plan a health fair providing free asthma screenings 

and education on environmental asthma triggers 

and management. Recruit local sponsors to provide 

giveaways or funding to support the health fair and 

assist in setting up asthma screenings. Potential 

sponsors include area doctors, respiratory care 

departments, businesses, and non-profit organizations.

	Hold a press conference to announce the state’s 

partnership as well as encourage the state as a whole to 

participate. 

	Issue press releases and publicize your event 

in local newsletters, on the state’s Web site 

AsthmaCommunityNetwork.org, social networking 

sites, and through local media.

	Work with the state’s press office to set up interviews 

with experts in the field, people who have asthma, and 

government officials. The press office can also set up 

meetings for state officials and local organizations to 

visit schools and daycare facilities to promote asthma 

management. 

	Remember to plan your event well in advance to 

address any security concerns.

And remember...

	Distribute asthma materials within state offices 

and to the general public. Free EPA materials are 

available to you in both English and Spanish:

	 “Clear Your Home of Asthma Triggers” brochure;

	 “Dusty and His Asthma Triggers” children’s 

funbook;

	 “Breathing Freely: Controlling Asthma Triggers” 

video; 

	 “Help Your Child Gain Control Over Asthma” 

booklet; and

	 Asthma public service announcements

Event Spotlight: World Asthma Day 

Rally Texas State Capitol

Where and when did the event take place?

Texas State Capitol in Austin on May 5, 2009. 

What happened at the event? 

There was a World Asthma Day Rally with representatives 

from the Texas Legislature, the Texas Department of 

State Health Services, and the Asthma Coalition of 

Texas. The Asthma Coalition of Texas discussed the 

burden of asthma and the impact it has on Texans as well 

as activities to improve the quality of life and health of 

Texans with asthma

 What resources were used for the event?

The Asthma Coalition handed out a Texas Asthma Fact 

Sheet.

How did this event help raise asthma awareness? 

This event raised public awareness by being held at a 

prominent location. About 50 people attended and 

received asthma information.

Plan an Event at Your State Capitol
9

Event Planning Kit Asthma Awareness Month

May is Asthma Awareness Month!

There is no better time to promote asthma education, including management of environmental triggers. Join EPA to 

plan an educational event for patients and providers. Things to do include:

Asthma Education Ideas

for Health Insurers and Managed Care Organizations

	Place an article in a newsletter or e-bulletin to 

educate patients about asthma, environmental 

triggers, and ways to manage asthma.

	Distribute asthma materials to providers 

(hospitals, specialists, and physicians) to educate 

them about comprehensive asthma management 

for patients. In addition, co-sponsor a one-day 

training for providers with a local chapter of the 

American Lung Association or Asthma and Allergy 

Foundation of America.

	Contact the American Association for Respiratory 

Care (AARC) to obtain the “Environmental 

Triggers of Asthma” CD-Rom for continuing 

education of respiratory therapists in your 

network.

	Host a health fair in a community setting, such 

as a hospital or area high school. Distribute 

information about asthma management and 

methods to identify and mitigate indoor 

environmental triggers. Recruit local sponsors 

to provide giveaways or support. Examples 

of donated materials include items helpful in 

mitigating indoor environmental triggers, such 

as pillow or mattress covers or HEPA filters for 

vacuums.

	Encourage hospitals and physicians to run EPA 

asthma education, videos, and public service 

campaigns in closed circuit television in patient 

waiting rooms.

	Sponsor an asthma awareness event in a local 

school setting and educate students, teachers and 

faculty about ways to manage asthma in the school 

environment. Distribute asthma action plans to 

school nurses and students.

	Honor outstanding providers in your network with 

an “Asthma Award of the Year” for demonstrating 

excellent leadership in comprehensively managing 

patient asthma and increasing asthma awareness with 

patients.

	Conduct an in-home environmental assessment in 

select homes in locations with a high prevalence of 

asthma. Display these homes as models to showcase 

the importance of managing indoor environmental 

triggers.

	Join AsthmaCommunityNetwork.org and become 

part of a growing network of community programs 

committed to improving the lives of people with 

asthma.

 Join social networking channels like Twitter and 

Facebook and promote your activities and events to 

online audiences.

And remember...

	Asthma educational materials are available for your 

event. EPA’s free materials are available to you in both 

English and Spanish: 

	 “Clear Your Home of Asthma Triggers” brochure;

	 “Implementing an Asthma Home Visit Program: 10 

Steps to Help Health Plans Get Started” brochure; and

	 “Asthma Home Environment Check List”
10

Asthma Awareness Month Event Planning Kit

Media Outreach Tips

Sample Media Outlets

f Local newspapers

f Health producer at a local news 

station

f Radio stations

f Web staff at a local newspaper 

or broadcast outlet 

f Parenting magazines

f Hospital medical newsletters

f Online bulletin boards for your neighborhood

f Student newspapers at an elementary, middle, 

or high school or at a college or university

f Social networking Web sites and blogs

f Does your area include Hispanic media? Don’t 

forget to reach out to Spanish-language or 

other media targeted toward an ethnic or nonEnglish-speaking demographic

May is Asthma Awareness Month!

A successful media outreach approach can increase the 

success of your event. The following tips will help you 

and capture media attention for your asthma activity, 

event, or program. 

Tell the asthma story.

One way to gain the media’s attention is to provide facts 

about the dangers of asthma to public health. Asthma 

affects about 23 million people in America and is one of 

the leading causes of childhood hospitalization. 

	Build successful relationships with the media.

	 Establish a list of national and local media, taking 

note of beat reporters. Beat reporters are assigned 

to a specific area or topic, such as community 

health and science.

	 Contact beat reporters and editors to introduce 

yourself and to establish a point of contact for 

information.

	Start with a good media list. 

A good list is one that is relevant and accurate. In 

choosing whom to approach, it is important to 

consider who is likely to want to tell your asthma 

story, as well as whom you would like to do it. 

You may want to include small newspapers and 

community newsletters, in addition to major 

newspapers and television and radio stations. 

	Contact the right person. 

At major newspapers and television and radio stations, 

it is appropriate to contact the assignment editor. Your 

local library may have a media guide listing names and 

addresses of people you may want to contact. Be sure 

to get your contact’s e-mail address. Many reporters 

prefer to get releases by e-mail rather than hard copy.

	Write a good pitch letter.

After you have a targeted list of reporters and editors, 

you will need to write a pitch letter. The pitch letter 

alerts editors and reporters to your story and why they 

should cover asthma issues (see page 11 for tips).

	Write a press release.

A well written press release can yield more media 

coverage than any amount of advertising could bring 

to asthma (see page 14 for a sample press release).

	Develop a media kit. 

Make it as easy as possible for the media to do their 

jobs. Provide them with statistical information about 

asthma from reputable sources and provide simple 

graphics if you have them. Anything you can do to 

make it easy for reporters to write a story will help. Put 

together a media kit with a full range of information 

about asthma issues, environmental triggers, and the 

specifics of your asthma event. A media kit can include 

the following materials:

	 Pitch letter

	 Press release (see page 14)

	 Asthma fact sheet (see page 12)

	 Asthma materials order form (see page 17)

	 Proclamation (see page 13)

	 Calendar of events

	 Your contact information

	 Web site addresses, as appropriate
11

Event Planning Kit Asthma Awareness Month

for Health Insurers and Managed Care Organizations 	Follow up.

You’ve sent your materials out to the reporters and 

editors on your list and allowed time for them to look 

over the information. Now it’s time to make follow-up 

calls. During your follow-up calls, you should:

	 Be prepared. Make notes for your calls and be 

prepared to take notes during the calls. Plan what 

you are going to say ahead of time and stick to it. 

Try to anticipate any questions or objections you 

might hear and have an answer prepared. 

	 Be polite and brief. Editors and reporters are 

usually on a very tight schedule and they will 

appreciate it if you get right to the point. Identify 

yourself, tell them why you are calling, and offer 

to answer any questions they may have.

	 Ask for coverage. After you have confirmed receipt 

of your letter and answered any questions, ask for 

coverage of your event.

Telling Your Asthma Story

	How to Pitch a Story

Pitching a news story to a reporter, editor, or producer 

can seem intimidating, but it is not difficult if you 

prepare yourself adequately. The most effective way to 

contact the media with a story idea is through a “pitch 

letter,” which provides the reporter or media with all 

the information they need to pursue the story. 

	Use the following tips to write a good pitch letter: 

	 E-mail is often the best way to get your letter in 

front of the right person. Plan to follow up your 

e-mail with a timely phone call.

	 Keep it short. Journalists don’t have much time 

to spend each day reading pitches. Begin your 

pitch with your most compelling information to 

grab the reader’s interest, and explain the story in 

just a few paragraphs. If you have a news peg (see 

next section), make it clear at the beginning of the 

letter.

	 Provide all the information journalists need to 

cover the story. Make sure your pitch covers the 

“Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How” 

of the story. Include your contact information, 

list possible sources, and include any relevant 

background material. If you have written a press 

release, paste that into the e-mail. 

	 If you are pitching a broadcast outlet, remember 

that they are interested in gathering video footage. 

Tell them about possible photo-ops or events.

	News Pegs

Journalists often look for “news pegs,” which make 

a discussion of a broad issue relevant to the moment 

and “newsworthy.” When trying to obtain coverage of 

asthma issues, look for news pegs and point them out 

to the media when you speak to them. News pegs can 

be breaking news, or a simple event that brings a story 

into focus or makes it more timely. Below are some 

possible asthma-related news pegs that can help frame 

other media pitches and guide your discussions with 

reporters.

	 May is Asthma Awareness Month! This “month” 

is a great reason to promote asthma awareness. 

World Asthma Day, organized by the National 

Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National 

Institutes of Health, and the World Health 

Organization, also falls during this time.

	 Discuss the impacts of asthma on your 

community by sharing hospitalizations and 

emergency visit statistics and prevention methods 

through reducing environmental triggers.

	 Any speech, rally, event, or meeting can be an 

opportunity to involve the press.

Media Outreach Tips (continued) 
12

Asthma Awareness Month Event Planning Kit

	 Asthma continues to be a serious public health 

problem. According to the Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention:

	 23 million people, including almost 7 million 

children, have asthma. 1,2

	 Asthma prevalence is higher among families with 

lower incomes.

	 12 million people report having an asthma attack in 

the past year. 3

	 Asthma accounts for nearly 17 million physician 

office and hospital visits, 4

 and nearly 2 million 

emergency department visits each year. 3

	African Americans continue to have higher 

rates of asthma emergency department visits, 

hospitalizations, and deaths than do Caucasians:

	 The rate of emergency department visits is 350% 

higher. 3

	 The hospitalization rate is 240% higher. 3

	 The asthma death rate is 200% higher. 3

	Approximately 2 million Hispanics in the U.S. have 

asthma and Puerto Ricans are disproportionately

 impacted:

	 The rate of asthma among Puerto Ricans is 125% 

higher than non-Hispanic white people and

80% higher than non-Hispanic black people. 3

	 The prevalence of asthma attacks is highest among 

Puerto Ricans. 3

	Asthma in Children

	 Asthma is one of the most common serious chronic 

diseases of childhood.

	 Asthma is the third-ranking cause of hospitalization 

among children under 15. 5

	 An average of one out of every 10 school-aged 

children has asthma. 6

	 13 million school days are missed each year due to 

asthma. 7

	The Cost of Asthma

Annual expenditures for health and lost productivity due 

to asthma are estimated at over $20 billion, according to 

the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. 8

	Environmental Factors 

Indoor and outdoor environmental factors can trigger 

asthma attacks: dust mites, molds, cockroaches, pet 

dander, and secondhand smoke.

	Asthma Can be Controlled

With a plan that includes medical treatment and control 

of environmental triggers, people with asthma can lead 

healthy, active lives.

Asthma Facts

1. Summary Health Statistics for U.S. Adults: National Health Interview 

Survey, 2006, Tables 3 and 4

2. Summary Health Statistics for U.S. Children: National Health Interview 

Survey, 2008, Table 1. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_10/

sr10_244.pdf

3. Akinbami L. Asthma Prevelance, Health Care Use and Morality: United 

States 2003-2005. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/pubs/pubd/hestats/

asthma03-05/asthma03-05.htm

4. National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey: 2006 Summary, Table 12

5. DeFrances CJ, Cullen KA, Kozak LJ. National Hospital Discharge Society: 

2005 Annual Summary with detailed Diagnosis and Procedure Data. 

National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Statistics 12 (165); 2007 

6. American Lung Association, Epidemiology and Statistics Unit, 

Research and Program Services. Trends in Asthma Morbidity and 

Morality. November 2007. (ALA age group analysis of NHIS through 

2005) (http://www.lungusa.org/atf/cf/%7B7a8d42c2-fcca-4604-8ade7f5d5e762256%7D/ASTHMA_TREND_Nov2007.PDF)

7. Akinbami LJ. The State of Childhood Asthma, United States, 1980-2005, 

Advance Data from Vital and Health Statistics: no 381, Revised December 

29, 2006, Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics, 2006 

(NHIS 2003 absenteeism)

8. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Chartbook on Cardiovascular, 

Lung and Blood Diseases, U.S. Department of Health and Human 

Services, National Institute of Health, 2009.(http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/

resources/docs/2009_ChartBook.pdf) 

References
13

Event Planning Kit Asthma Awareness Month

Sample Proclamation From a Local Official

Enlist a well-known local official to issue a proclamation supporting events and activities during May, 

Asthma Awareness Month. Below is a sample proclamation that can serve as a guide.

[County Exec utive’s, Mayor’s, Governor’s] 

Proclama tio n In Suppo rt of asthma awareness mo nth

in [County, City, or State]

WHEREAS, asthma has reached epidemic proportions in the United States, affecting about 23 million 

people; [insert state prevale nce ]

WHEREAS, asthma is one of the leading causes of childhood hospitalizations, long-term illness, and school 

absenteeism, accounting for nearly 13 million missed school days each year;

WHEREAS, each year nearly 2 million people are rushed to the emergency room and nearly 4,000 people 

die from asthma;

WHEREAS, asthma is a long-term, inflammatory disease in which the airways of the lungs constrict, causing 

wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing;

WHEREAS, exposure to allergens and irritants such as dust mites, mold, cockroaches, pet dander, and 

secondhand smoke can bring on an asthma episode;

WHEREAS, secondhand smoke worsens children’s asthma in up to one million children;

WHEREAS, there are simple steps people can take to reduce their exposure to environmental asthma 

triggers;

WHEREAS, [your organization] and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are encouraging 

Americans to identify and reduce their exposures to environmental triggers in homes and 

schools, and incorporate environmental controls into their asthma management plans.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, [name], [title] of [county, city, or state] do hereby proclaim:

May [Year]

Asthma Awareness Month

In [County, City, or State]

____________________________________

(Signature of Official)
14

Asthma Awareness Month Event Planning Kit

Press Release 

Template

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: [Name]

[Phone Number]

[Email Address]

[YOUR COMMUNITY] CELEBRATES ASTHMA AWARENESS MONTH 

[PLACE-Release DATE]- In the United States alone, almost 7 million children have asthma, 

[INS ERT LOCAL PREVALENCE] which is one of the most common serious chronic diseases 

of childhood. In addition, asthma is a leading cause of hospital emergency department visits and 

school absenteeism [insert your state specific asthma statistics]. 

In response to these alarming statistics, and in an effort to raise public awareness of the risks faced 

everyday by about 23 million Americans living with asthma [insert state and/or local

prevala nce ], [YOUR ORGANIZATION] is joining the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 

to participate in Asthma Awareness Month and World Asthma Day. [YOUR ORGANIZATION] is 

holding a [NAME OF EVENT ] on [DATE] at [LOCATION] in [CITY ]. 

All across the world, events are being held in May as part of Asthma Awareness Month. Join 

[YOUR ORGANIZATION] and EPA at events nationwide during May. Each event will raise 

awareness about indoor and outdoor pollutants that trigger asthma and ways to prevent 

asthma episodes.

For more information on EPA’s Asthma Program and Asthma Awareness Month, log on to 

www.epa.gov/asthma and [YOUR ORGANIZATION’S WEB SITE].

This template can be customized to highlight your asthma awareness event. Learn 

specific information about the number of children with asthma in your state from 

the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Web site at www.cdc.gov/asthma. 

Include this information in your press release.
15

Event Planning Kit Asthma Awareness Month

Asthma Awareness Month EPA Regional Contacts

Asthma Awareness Month

National Organizations & EPA Regional Contacts

For more information on Asthma 

Awareness Month, contact:

Allergy and Asthma Network Mothers of 

Asthmatics

1-800-878-4403

www.aanma.org

American Academy of Allergy , Asthma, 

and Immunology

414-272-6071

www.aaaai.org

American Academy of Pediatrics

847-434-4000

www.aap.org

American Association for Respiratory Care

972-243-2272

www.aarc.org

American College of Allergy, Asthma and 

Immunology

847-427-1200

www.acaai.org

Region 1 – CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT

Contact: Marybeth Smuts 

617-918-1512 or

1-888-372-7341

Region 2 – NJ, NY, PR, VI

Contact: Ameesha Mehta-Sampath

212-637-4006

Region 3 – DE, DC, MD, PA, VA, WV

Contact: Janice Bolden

215-814-2185

Region 4 – AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, 

SC, TN

Contact: Heidi LeSane

404-562-9074 or 

1-800-241-1754

Region 5 – IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI

Contact: Lara Lasky 

312-353-5614 or

1-800-621-8431

Region 6 – AR, LA, NM, OK, TX

Contact: Paula Selzer

214-665-6663

1-800-887-6063

Region 7 – IA, KS, MO, NE

Contact: Greg Crable 

913-551-7391 or

1-800-223-0425

American College of CHEST Physicians

847-498-1400, 1-800-343-2227

www.chestnet.org

American Lung Association

1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872)

www.lungusa.org

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of 

America

1-800-7-ASTHMA (1-800-727-8462)

www.aafa.org

Asthma Goldfish PSA Campaign

1-866-NO-ATTACKS (1-866-662-8822) 

www.noattacks.org

www.epapsa.com

Global Initiative for Asthma

www.ginasthma.com

Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention 

1-888-232-6348

www.cdc.gov/asthma

National Association of School Nurses

1-866-627-6767 

www.nasn.org

National Education Association Health 

Information Network

202-822-7570

www.neahin.org

National Asthma Education and Prevention 

Program, National Heart, Lung, and Blood 

Institute

301-592-8573 

www.nhlbi.nih.gov/index.htm

Environmental Protection Agency, IAQ 

INFO

1-800-438-4318

www.epa.gov/asthma

Asthma Awareness Month National Organizations Contacts

Region 8 – CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY

Contact: Ron Schiller

303-312-6017 or

1-800-227-8917

Region 9 – AS, AZ, CA, GU, HI, NV

Contact: Barbara Spark

415-947-4189

Region 10 – AK, ID, OR, WA

Contact: Susan Titus

1-800-424-4372 x1189 or 

206-553-1189
16

Asthma Awareness Month Event Planning Kit

To list your Asthma Awareness Month events on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Asthma Web site (www.epa.gov/

asthma) and AsthmaCommunityNetwork.org, please complete the form below and return it to:

E-Mail: WAD@cadmusgroup.com

Fax: 703-247-6047

Attn: Lisa Meck

Or you can enter information about your Asthma Awareness Month events online at http://asthmaevents.cadmusweb.com. Use 

one form per event. Please enter all information.

SPONS ORING ORGANIZATION 

ADDRESS 

CITY ST ATE ZIP 

PHONE E-MAIL 

NAME OF EVENT 

DATE & TIME OF EVENT 

LOCATION OF EVENT 

EVENT WEB SITE 

STREET ADDRESS 

CITY ST ATE ZIP 

Name and Telepho ne of Event Contac t Person 

 

Brief description of the event:

What materials did you find most useful in planning your asthma education event?

What additional materials or assistance would help you sponsor asthma events in the future?

Event Listing Form

Asthma Awareness Month
17

Event Planning Kit Asthma Awareness Month

Materials Order Form

To order materials for your Asthma Awareness Month activities, fax this completed order form to NS CEP at 301-604-3408. 

Supplies are limited and are available on a first come basis. To ensure you receive your materials in time for your event, please 

place your order at least 30 days in advance. Many of EPA’s Asthma materials are available for download on EPA’s Web site at 

www.epa.gov/asthma/publications.html. 

NAME DATE 

SPONS ORING ORGANIZATION 

MAILING ADDRESS 

CITY ST ATE ZIP 

PHONE FAX E-MAIL 

NAME/TY PE OF EVENT PLANN ED 

DATE, TIME, LOCATION OF EVENT 

EVENT WEB SITE 

Quantity

“Breathing Freely: Controlling Asthma Triggers” 

________ English VHS....................................................................................................................................402-V-06-001

________ English / Spanish DVD....................................................................................................................402-C-06-001

________ “Help Your Child Gain Control Over Asthma” (English version).............................................................402-F-04-021

________ “Help Your Child Gain Control Over Asthma” (Spanish version)............................................................402-F-05-021 

________ “Dusty and His Asthma Triggers” Children’s Funbook – may order up to 100........................................402-F-04-008

“Dusty and His Asthma Triggers” Children’s Funbook ( Spanish) – may order up to 100 .......................402-F-04-009

“Dusty and His Asthma Triggers” Bookmark ..........................................................................................402-E-05-001

“Clear Your Home of Asthma Triggers: Your Children Will Breathe Easier”

________ English............................................................................................................................................402-F-99-005

________ Chinese ..........................................................................................................................................402-F-99-005A

________ Vietnamese ..................................................................................................................................402-F-99-005B

________ Korean ...........................................................................................................................................402-F-99-005C

________ Spanish ...........................................................................................................................................402-F-99-005D

________ “What Can Trigger an Asthma Attack May Surprise You” (Kitten Poster) ..............................................401-H-03-001

________ “A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home”

________ English............................................................................................................................................402-K-02-003

________ Spanish ..........................................................................................................................................402-K-03-008

________ “Asthma Home Environment Checklist” .................................................................................................402-F-03-030 

Asthma public service announcements (TV , radio, print) in English and Spanish may be ordered online 

at www.epapsa.com.

Please fax this completed order form.

Asthma Awareness Month