Minnesota Department of Health – Asthma Program

The vision of the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) asthma program is that “Minnesotans with asthma will have healthy environments and will be able to enjoy life not limited by their asthma because their asthma is appropriately managed and well controlled.” Our activities fall under seven goals: data and surveillance, environment, work-related asthma, self-management, communities, health professionals, and system change and include: • Minnesota specific data reports and fact sheets • Partnerships with the Minnesota Asthma Coalition, INHALE – a group of MDH employees, local public health agencies, and American Lung Association • Collaborating with local public health agencies, school nurses, providers and people with asthma or families of children with asthma. • A comprehensive resource & training manual for managing asthma in Minnesota schools • The Coach’s Asthma clipboard program - a free on-line program designed specifically for coaches, referees and physical education teaches focusing on what they should know about asthma. It can be accessed at www.winningwithasthma.org. • The interactive asthma action plan (IAAP) – an on-line and downloadable clinical decision-making tool. Clinicians can use the IAAP to document current symptoms, control levels, and treatment plans, while reducing time spent hand writing asthma action plans (AAP). • Collaboration with the MDH Environmental Health Division (EHD) and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (PCA) to increase the number of people who receive electronic notifications of Air Quality Index Alerts. • In-home education and low-cost environmental intervention projects. We are currently working with local public health nurses who provide education on asthma medical management, assess the home environment, make low cost environmental interventions aimed at reducing potential asthma triggers, and communicate the child’s progress to the physician. Additional information on our programs can be found at www.health.state.mn.us/asthma.