AmeriCorps VISTA member Derrick Price (left) shows
a student with asthma an exercise technique
during Cleveland School District’s Health and Wellness
Day at the Cleveland Vocational Tech Complex.
The School-based Asthma Management team at Delta State continues to educate others about asthma, a common chronic disease that impacts the quality of life.
SAM is traveling to local schools to implement the Breathing Just Got Easier School Tour, teaching youth and the community about the inflammatory disease of the airways. The tour is designed for students who are directly impacted by asthma to ensure they are receiving proper guidance on preventative methods.
Asthma can keep children out of school and adults out of work. According to a 2010 study by the Centers for Disease Control, 18.7 million adults had asthma along with seven million children. Asthma rates are rising for all age groups in urban and rural areas, regardless of race and income.
As of November 2013, seven local schools have participated in the SAM tour. The team has also traveled to local fitness centers, community libraries and health fair events to continue it’s education on effective asthma management.
SAM is located at the Center for Community and Economic Development at 1417 College St. in Cleveland, on the outskirts of Delta State’s campus. Contact the program for asthma in-service trainings and workshops at 662-846-4807, or via email at mdorsey@deltastate.edu.
