Our History

An Asthma Coalition was formed in 1996 to address the growing and serious problems related to asthma in Arizona. At that time, the American Lung Association of Arizona assumed the role of Fiduciary Agent for the Coalition. Due to an increasing concern about asthma in Arizona and therefore a significant increase in asthma-related activities, we became a separate non-profit organization in November, 2008.

Public health and managed care partners are concerned about the growing prevalence and seriousness of asthma in Arizona.  The Arizona Asthma Coalition advocates for cleaner air and better access to healthcare for all people living with asthma in Arizona. Many stakeholders, all volunteers, are active members of the Coalition. These stakeholders include state and local public health departments, state and local environmental departments, hospitals, community health centers, the Indian Health Service, health plans, faculty from colleges and universities, school health nurses, community non-profit organizations, pharmaceutical companies, pediatricians, family practice physicians, pharmacists, respiratory therapists, asthma educators and parents. 

Mission: The Arizona Asthma Coalition will serve as a catalyst to decrease the burden of asthma in Arizona through awareness, advocacy and education.

Vision: To eliminate deaths from asthma.

 Goals:

• Achieve cleaner air for all Arizonans through public policy

• Advocate for better access to healthcare for all Arizonans

• Improve asthma outcomes through education and awareness

• Build coalitions, relationships and partnerships

We have many accomplishments, including the publication of a position paper on the current state of asthma in Arizona; publication of asthma tool kits for healthcare providers; an updated asthma website for patients, their families and providers; and an annual asthma conference. With all of our accomplishments, there is still much work to be done to improve the high morbidity and mortality rates of asthma in the state. There are far too many unnecessary hospitalizations, Emergency Department visits and most importantly, there are too many unnecessary deaths from asthma each year. With the growing population in Arizona, increase in automobile emissions and other pollutants leading to poor air quality, increased construction and dust, asthma statistics are not improving. 

With all of our accomplishments there is still much to be done. There are far too many asthma hospitalizations and Emergency Department, which indicates that asthma is not being treated and self-managed properly. Arizona needs more certified asthma educators to provide the asthma education for newly diagnosed asthmatics. School districts need to write policy around the medication carry laws that were passed by the Arizona legislature in 2005. School nurses need to have an asthma action plan for every child in their school who has asthma. Accomplishing these tasks can be achieved with increased support for projects and programs that further educate providers, their patients and families to better treat and manage asthma. We need to continue to advocate for cleaner air and better access to healthcare, especially for under-served populations.

 Highlights and Accomplishments of the Arizona Asthma Coalition

v Published “Asthma Guidelines for Schools, “ which were distributed to every school in the state

v In 2008, became a 501 (c) 3 charitable organization

v Advocated for legislation concerning medication and anaphylaxis school carry bills, clean air bills and a school nurse in every school with 750 students or more

v Created policy statements on access to healthcare, air quality and other environmental issues impacting people with asthma

v Held an Annual Arizona Asthma Conference at Banner Children’s Hospital in May, 2006, at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, in May, 2007, at Phoenix Children’s Hospital in May 2008 and at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in May, 2009. The fifth Annual Arizona Asthma Conference will be held at the University Medical Center in Tucson on April 24, 2010.

v Published and distributed a Provider’s Asthma Tool Kit, a School Nurse Asthma Tool Kit and a Patient-Family Asthma Tool Kit to healthcare providers throughout the state of Arizona. The goals of the tool kits are to improve the quality of care for asthma patients provided by healthcare professionals and improve patient self-management. All tool kits are on the Coalition’s website.

v Updated our website, www.azasthma.org, with the most current asthma information and a totally new web format for easier navigation

v Partnered with ADEQ to produce a School Bus Idling DVD, which was sent to every transportation director in the state of Arizona, with a second mailing going to every school Principal.

v Hosted a Cultural Diversity Workshop with support from AHRQ.

v Participated in an AHRQ Learning Partnership focusing on disparities in childhood asthma. Arizona’s focus was to identify data sources to determine where disparities exist and to grow, assist, support local coalitions

v Participated in the technical review process for the ADHS Asthma State Plan

v Developed and distributed a position paper on asthma, titled “Breathing Easier in Arizona: An Action Plan for Change”