NEWS FROM
North Central Florida's Congressman
CLIFF STEARNS
MAY 1, 2002

STEARNS KICKS OFF ASTHMA AWARENESS DAY CAPITOL HILL

CO-CHAIRS FIELD HEARING TO HEAR FROM ASTHMA SUFFERERS AND THEIR FAMILIES


WASHINGTON, MAY 1, 2002 – Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL) today co-chaired a congressional field hearing for Asthma Awareness Day Capitol Hill. “One of the major public health issues facing this nation is so little acknowledged and so little understood – asthma,” said Stearns. “I am pleased that we have assembled this hearing to learn more about asthma suffering and treatment.” The hearing, co-chaired by Stearns and Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), heard from two panels of witnesses comprising asthma suffers, their families, health care professionals, and environmental experts. Jerome Bettis of the Pittsburgh Steelers and young Kyle Damitz talked about their struggles with asthma.

Asthma Awareness Day Capitol Hill results from the efforts of Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA); the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology; and interested members of Congress. Its purpose is to increase awareness of asthma and allergies among members of Congress and the public. The key message of this year’s event focused on school issues facing children with asthma and asthma care in emergency care settings.

In outlining the problem, Stearns noted that “nearly 20 million Americans have asthma, and a quarter of them are children. Asthma is the most common cause of missed school days and it is appropriate today to focus on the response of schools and emergency centers to asthma.”

Dr. William E. Berger described some significant advances in understanding asthma. “We understand what triggers asthma attacks. We are familiar with the environmental factors. We have extremely effective medications that are continuously being improved. But we also know that asthma often goes undiagnosed and undertreated.” Dr. Martha White testified, “The future of asthma care depends upon the continued development of new and improved treatments.” Nancy Sander, AANMA President, stated, “Today is a great day for school children with asthma! Thanks to the bipartisan support of Rep. Stearns and Rep. Kennedy, school children across America can expect greater attention by policy makers on the need to ensure all children can carry and use life-saving medications and that school indoor quality will be a greater priority.”