Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Senator Rivera Calls for Greater Asthma Awareness and Support for Legislation As Asthma Awareness Month Comes to a Close


  Senator Gustavo Rivera, the ranking member of the Senate's Health Committee, urges Bronxites to increase their asthma awareness as part of Asthma Awareness Month and urges the passage of legislation that can help prevent or minimize the harm caused by the disease.


"Asthma is a serious, but treatable health issue that affects over 1.1 million New Yorkers, including myself" said Senator Gustavo Rivera. "The lack of awareness surrounding this disease - and people's inability to recognize its causes and symptoms - leads thousands of New Yorkers to suffer unnecessary complications every year. We must work to increase awareness of the causes and effects of asthma and pass legislation that will help reduce the complications that develop from the disease."

Asthma causes approximately 301 deaths per year and 41,797 hospitalizations in New York State. It is also the leading cause of missed school days for children and workplace absences for adults.

Asthma is an even a greater problem in the outer boroughs. The Bronx has one of the highest rates of asthma in city.  For instance, nearly one-third (32.3 percent) of children who made asthma-related emergency room visits in 2010 were from the Bronx.

Asthma attacks can be caused by triggers such as cockroaches, mold, pet dander, dust, pollen, air pollution and, in particular, tobacco smoke. A study by the National Center for Health Statistics of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that exposure to secondhand smoke was associated with an increased risk of having three or more visits to a doctor or emergency room due to wheezing in the past year.

"Tobacco smoke is one of the most common asthma triggers in our society," said Senator Gustavo Rivera. " While we have implemented measure that have considerably reduced New Yorkers' consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke in the past, it is not enough to curb the great number of children and adults who suffer needlessly from asthma related illness." 

Legislation, such as the bill introduced and passed by Senator Rivera that banned smoking within 100 feet from all school entrances, can be effective in minimizing the public's exposure to suffering from an asthma attack.  According to a study published in Circulation, smoke-free laws quickly and dramatically have cut the number of people hospitalized for heart attacks, strokes and respiratory diseases. The study also found that hospitalization for respiratory disease, such as asthma, fell 24 percent after the implementation of smoke-free legislation.

"We need to continue to find ways to discourage unhealthy behaviors and to keep our youth from being exposed to harmful triggers," said Senator Gustavo Rivera. "This is one of the reasons why I continue to make reducing tobacco usage a legislative priority. It is also why I strongly support any effort, such as raising the minimum age to buy tobacco, that will reduce our youth's access to these products."

To support asthma awareness, Senator Rivera is encouraging Bronxities to attend the Asthma Resource Fair at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center, 1650 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY on Thursday, May 30, 2013 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Attendees will be able to interact with health educators about their asthma and receive pertinent information about the disease's symptoms, triggers and treatments. Attendees will also have the opportunity to play asthma-related games and sign a pledge to control their asthma.

To avoid unnecessary asthma related complications, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene provides the following recommendations:
  •          Encourage parents/caregivers to quit smoking.
  •          Encourage parents/caregivers to talk with landlords about household           problems that may trigger asthma episodes.
  •          Get regular care and know when to seek emergency care for your child.
  •          Take your child to the doctor for regular asthma check-ups, even when no asthma symptoms are present.
  •          Identify asthma triggers in the home and try to reduce or eliminate them.
  •          Tell the school that your child has asthma and provide them with a completed Medication Administration Form from your child's doctor.
  •          Promptly repair leaks, cracks, holes and ventilation problems.
  •          Contain food and garbage so they don't become food for pests.
  •          Use only safe pest control methods when needed.
For information about the Nicotine Patch and Gum Program or for help on how to quit smoking, New York City residents can call 311 or visit the following sites:
*******************************************************
207705_Save 40%1-88x31

No comments:

Post a Comment