Asthma rates among children in the inner cities have jumped up to as much as 20 percent in recent years, Clark says. Chronic illnesses due to asthma are the No. 1 reason children miss school, with up to 10 million school days lost every year. University of Michigan researchers are helping children with asthma learn to breathe easier about the disease. The education process carried out by U-M researchers is touching many. Principals and school personnel are learning about building conditions that might be improved to reduce asthma attacks.
Parents receive materials about helping their child manage the disease.
Teachers learn about asthma and how it affects children s learning. They feel better about their asthma. They feel like they know what to do. They feel more in control of it. They re not so scared of their asthma, like when are they going to have the next attack.