We all want to see our students succeed, but many children with asthma have a harder time doing well in school. The Open Airways For Schools® asthma education program has been shown to help these students better manage their asthma, miss fewer classes, and improve their academic performance. In addition to better grades, graduates of Open Airways For Schools® also demonstrate greater confidence in being able to take care of their health. If you would like to support your students with asthma, contact your nearest American Lung Association office for more information on how your school can get involved!
Open Airways for Schools graduates from Lihikai Elementary School 2006
Open Airways for Schools graduates from Kekaha Elementary School 2006
Open Airways for Schools graduates from Kalaheo Elementary School 2006
The American Lung Association’s Open Airways For Schools® program is an innovative asthma education program designed to help children ages 8-11 learn to manage their asthma so they spend more time in the classroom and less time in the emergency room.
In Hawaii more than 30,000 children have asthma, a debilitating disease that causes shortness of breath and sometimes results in death. It is the leading cause of school absenteeism. Children with asthma who do not know how to take care of it are at serious risk. That’s why Open Airways For Schools® was developed. It was tested in elementary schools nationwide and proven effective in reducing the number of asthma episodes and the duration of these episodes. It also helped improved academic performance in many cases.
Hookena Elementary Graduates 2004
Read what our friends have been saying about the program!
These students seem more aware of their asthma triggers and what to do when they get an asthma episode.” - School Health Aide on OAS children
“It’s an amazing feeling to be able to empower children to take better care of their health.” - Open Airways Instructor
“Now I know more about asthma and how to take care of myself when I have trouble breathing.” - Student, age 10
“Since Open Airways has been introduced in our school, we’ve seen fewer absences and trips to the health aide’s office from our students with asthma.” - School Vice-Principal
For more information on this program or to start the program at your school, contactthe office nearest you.
Mahalo Nui Loa and Congratulations To the 2005-2006 School Year Open Airways For Schools® Graduates and Participating Schools
