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EPA Honors Outstanding Leadership in Asthma Care

Release Date: 06/09/2011
Contact Information: Stacy Kika, kika.stacy@epa.gov, 202-564-0906, 202-564-4355

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is recognizing three organizations for their commitment and leadership to improve the lives of people with asthma. Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that can be triggered by air pollution and controlled through medical treatment and management of environmental triggers. Asthma affects 25 million people in the United States, including seven million children. One out of every 10 school aged children is affected and approximately 13 million people have reported having an asthma attack in the past year.

"As the mother of a child with asthma, I am personally reminded each day of the urgent need to address the harmful pollutants that can trigger attacks," EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson said. "I'm proud to work alongside environmental stewards like those we're recognizing with this year's National Environmental Leadership Award. These organizations are true examples of communities in action working together to find collaborative and innovative ways to safeguard the health of all Americans."

The three 2011 National Environmental Leadership award winners are the Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center, N.Y., New York State Department of Health – Center for Environmental Health, N.Y., and Centene Corporation- Nurtur and Managed Health Services, Mo. and Ind. The award winners have implemented strategies to deliver positive health outcomes, formed strong collaborations with communities, exhibited committed leadership and conducted effective environmental interventions to help make a difference in the lives of people with asthma.

Award winners will be recognized at the Communities in Action National Asthma Forum sponsored by EPA in Washington, D.C. on June 9, 2011. More than a hundred providers, health departments, community asthma coalitions, researchers and policy makers will convene at the forum to delve into important topics including program evaluation and environmental intervention strategies, to hear the latest public health guidance, and to join the national effort to accelerate the adoption of quality asthma care in communities across the country.

EPA’s Communities in Action Initiative mobilizes and equips communities to lead the nation in the delivery of asthma care. Through this initiative, EPA supports a growing network of community programs providing members with interactive tools and resources that facilitate collaboration, problem solving and knowledge sharing.

More information on EPA’s Asthma program and the 2011 Communities in Action National Asthma Forum: https://www.epa.gov/asthma

More information on the Asthma Community Network: http://www.AsthmaCommunityNetwork.org