Asthma Interventions
The Chronic Disease Respiratory Program engages in several interventions in order to increase public knowledge of asthma triggers and management, and to reduce the public health burden of asthma in Indiana.
Fly a Flag for Schools
The Fly a Flag for Clean Air Program uses colored flags based on U.S. EPA’s Air Quality Index (AQI) to notify teachers, coaches, students, and others about outdoor air quality conditions. Schools raise a colored flag each day that corresponds to their local air quality forecast.
The purpose of this program is to create public awareness of outdoor air quality conditions so children can continue to play and have fun while protecting their health when air quality is in unhealthy ranges. Children are at greater risk from air pollution because their lungs are still developing and they breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults. Even when air quality is unhealthy, exercise can be continued indoors for children who have symptoms outdoors.
This program is available to all schools throughout Indiana (on a first come, first served basis). Schools that enroll in the program will be asked to also make their school campus an “Idle Free Zone”, be a tobacco free campus, and have asthma action plans on file for all students with a diagnosis of asthma. All schools will receive a custom set of Air Quality Index flags, provided by Anthem and the WellPoint Foundation. Additionally schools will receive Idle Free Zone signs provided by Knozone/City of Indianapolis Office of Sustainability, Improving Kids Environment, and Duke Energy. Age appropriate curriculum and educational materials about indoor and outdoor air quality related to health will also be provided.
Find out how your school can participate in this FREE program.
Tools for Schools
This program, developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), helps schools reduce exposures to indoor environmental contaminants and manage asthma in the school environment.
The Tools for Schools Action Kit will help schools identify, correct, and prevent common indoor air quality issues. For more information on Tools for Schools, or to download an Action Kit, click here.
No Idling
Idling produces air pollution and can cause breathing problems in people with sensitive respiratory systems, such as people with asthma. The Chronic Respiratory Disease Section encourages citizens not to idle through the "Idle Free Zone" program, which helps make school zones idle free. Click here for more information.
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