Blog
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Researchers Evaluate Education Interventions on the Use of Metered-Dose Inhalers
The Indian Journal of Pharmacology’s April 2017 edition included a study evaluating the impacts of educational interventions on the use of metered-dose inhalers (MDI) by patients. To conduct the study, researchers assigned 100 patients into two groups, one which was “taught the use of MDI by demonstration of the technique” and the other “educated about…
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Study Seeks to Identify Genetic Associations of Bronchodilator Drug Response
The March 2018 Edition of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine included an article that sought to “identify genetic association with bronchodilator drug response (BDR),” noting “there are significant racial/ethnic differences in” drug response. Researchers “performed the first whole genome sequencing (WGS) pharmacogenetics study from 1,441 children with asthma.” In reviewing the…
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Fact Sheets on Work-Related Asthma from the California Department of Public Health
The California Department of Public Health’s Occupational Health Branch has released a series of fact sheets about how working around disinfectants, fragrances and cleaning products may cause asthma. In order to be more accessible to California’s population, the guides are available in Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Tagalog and Vietnamese. Disinfectants and Work-Related Asthma for Workers English…
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Researchers Investigate Effects of Traffic Related Air Pollution on Development and Persistence of Asthma
Environmental International’s April 2018 edition includes an article that discusses the longer-term effects of Traffic Related Air Pollution (TRAP) on those with respiratory diseases. In order to examine the issue, researchers measured “TRAP exposure at age 45 years” based on individuals’ residential addresses and compared it with “changes in asthma and lung function.” The researchers…
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Paper Examines Effects of Congestion Tax on Pollution and Asthma in Children
The National Bureau of Economic Research has released a working paper that “examines the effects of implementing a congestion tax in central Stockholm on both ambient air pollution and the population health of local children.” The researchers found “the tax reduced ambient air pollution by 5 to 15 percent,” and led to “a significant decrease…
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Feasibility Study Investigates Body Mass Index, Vitamin D Status and Asthma Control in Inner-City Children
In the March 2018 edition of Pediatric Allergy, Immunology, and Pulmonology, a study examined the feasibility of “assessing weekly reports of breathing problems” and “the distribution of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (250HD) and related biomarkers” in thirty two young children with asthma. The researchers noted obesity “appears to significantly increase risk of poor asthma control, with serum…
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Webinar Recording: Sustainable Financing for Asthma Education and Home Environmental Trigger Remediation – Lessons Learned from the Field
In the Fall 2017, RAMP released Sustainable Financing for Asthma Education and Home Environmental Trigger Remediation: Lessons Learned from the Field. The document highlights lessons learned from a variety of efforts across select states to increase access to and the sustainability of in-home asthma services. To ensure that people with poorly controlled asthma have access…
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Increasing access to in-home asthma services in California
RAMP and our partners continue to move ahead to increase access to in-home asthma services such as patient education and environmental trigger assessment and remediation. Last year Governor Brown vetoed AB 391, which would have led to Medi-Cal reimbursement for certain asthma services provided by non-licensed professionals upon the recommendation of a licensed practitioner. Since…
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Increasing access to in-home asthma services in California
RAMP and our partners continue to move ahead to increase access to in-home asthma services such as patient education and environmental trigger assessment and remediation. Last year Governor Brown vetoed AB 391, which would have led to Medi-Cal reimbursement for certain asthma services provided by non-licensed professionals upon the recommendation of a licensed practitioner. Since…
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CDC Releases Vital Signs Report on Asthma in Children
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released a Vital Signs report which highlights its shared work with the Environmental Protection Agency in improving children’s health and extending those health benefits to all children. The report released in February 2018 focuses on the effects of asthma in children. Among the report’s findings, the CDC…
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Study Examines Asthma Mortality by Industry and Occupation
In Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report’s January 2018 edition an article examined asthma mortality rates by industry and occupation. Researchers analyzed “multiple cause-of-death data for 1999-2016 and industry and occupation information collected from 26 states” for persons aged 15-64 years old. In reviewing this data, researchers found the annual age-adjusted asthma death rate per 1…
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Health Effects of Wildfire Smoke and Ash: Lessons from California Podcast and Commentary Available
Medscape has published a podcast examining the health effects of exposure to smoke and ash following the devastating California wildfires of 2017. The podcast features Dr. Robert Glatter, assistant professor of emergency medicine at Northwell Health and attending physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, and Dr. John Balmes, professor of medicine at…