World Asthma Day

24-6. Increase the proportion of persons with asthma who receive formal patient education, including information about community and self-help resources, as an essential part of the management of their condition.

24-1. Reduce asthma deaths.

24-2. Reduce hospitalizations for asthma.

24-5. Reduce the number of school or work days missed by persons with asthma due to asthma.

Promote Asthma Awareness

Increase the percentage of children and adults who are aware of the signs and symptoms of undiagnosed asthma and who seek care if they experience them.

Implement Community Asthma Programs and Policies

Increase the percentage of schools, churches, childcare centers, and other organizations that implement asthma-friendly programs and policies.

Diagnose and Manage Asthma

Increase the percentage of patients with asthma who receive appropriate diagnosis and treatment.

1. To capitalize on and reinforce the global attention being given to asthma on World Asthma Day (WAD) by developing a special Web-based applications in support of WAD events from February to June 2000.

2. To encourage partnerships and information-sharing among community asthma groups in order to promote asthma awareness activities and initiate ongoing programs.

3. To reach people with asthma, their families and caregivers with important messages and tips for optimal management of their illness.

Much information about the diagnosis and management of asthma has been generated since the inception of the NAEPP in 1989. Yet, despite state-of-the-art knowledge, the prevalence of asthma has been increasing, as has the morbidity associated with it. A new approach is needed to ensure that the information in the national asthma guidelines is fully applied and that all patients with asthma receive optimal care.

In order to leverage limited resources, it is important to dovetail efforts with others. The Global Initiative on Asthma has developed WAD to bring attention of all countries to the universal problem of asthma. Underutilization of information to reduce morbidity and mortality from asthma is worldwide. WAD provides an added opportunity to raise awareness about optimal care for patients with asthma and to ensure that the information in the guidelines is applied.