AsthmaToday Widget
The Asthma Society of Canada (ASC) has launched the AsthmaToday Widget! The AsthmaToday Widget is an interactive, virtual tool for people living with asthma and associated allergies, to stay informed on important issues and information needed to plan outdoor activities.
The AsthmaToday Widget can be downloaded to a computer or laptop to gain instant access to the local Air Quality Health Index (AQHI), available for a number of Canadian cities, as well as local weather forecasts and relative humidity. The AsthmaToday Widget also provides the latest news updates from the ASC on programs, educational materials and research, including developments on advocacy initiatives from the ASC's National Asthma Patient Alliance (NAPA).
This useful tool is easy to use and can be downloaded free of charge from the ASC's website. The AsthmaToday Widget will allow instant access to important issues surrounding asthma and associated allergies, as well as up-to-date information on the local AQHI readings and weather forecast needed to appropriately plan your outdoor activities.
Catch your Breath on May 4th World Asthma Day
Trish Molberg (BSc.Pharm, CRE) has a passion for clearing the air in her role as a Pharmacist at Walmart.
Molberg identified a need in her community for a health care professional who could offer assistance to patients with respiratory-related conditions such as asthma. With 3 million Canadians living with asthma, the condition is one of the most common chronic diseases among both children and adults. Research shows that about 60% of people with asthma do not have their disease under control. Limited access to information and health care professionals are often cited as reasons for poor control.
Molberg is one of a growing number of community pharmacists who has specialized expertise in respiratory conditions. She says her interest was sparked by an unmet need in patients who are seeking reliable and accessible advice on how to optimize asthma self-management.
"It's so valuable to have a pharmacist who is accessible that you can call, ask questions, or make an appointment with," says Molberg. "There are so many respiratory disease states...where we can fill a void."
Molberg, working in partnership with the Asthma Society of Canada, helped bring asthma clinics to select Walmart pharmacies across the country on May 4th, World Asthma Day. The clinics will make it easier to obtain information and advice about asthma for families living with the condition.
According to Molberg, with asthma rates on the rise (it is the most common health condition in Canadian children), and having access to a knowledgeable healthcare professional is key for newly diagnosed Canadians or those who are having difficulty controlling asthma symptoms.
Consider what you need to know about asthma:
- Knowing and preventing asthma triggers: learn what in particular can aggravate and worsen asthma symptoms.
- Medication review: learn ways to maximize the effects of asthma medication(s).
- Getting the most from an inhaler: receive tips and strategies on how to make optimal use of rescuer and preventer inhalers.
- Development of an asthma action plan that can improve self-management and help asthma sufferers live symptom free
- Referral services to help access respiratory testing and additional asthma-related resources.
- Advice on strategies to stop smoking: tobacco smoke is strongly linked to the development of asthma in children.
Some people who suffer from the condition may not be fully aware of what they can do to improve symptoms, which is why asthma clinics provide such a valuable service. Patients are encouraged to take ownership of their condition and become empowered through self-education.
Molberg also understands how important it is for parents of children with asthma to feel comfortable with their understanding of the condition and how to best manage the symptoms.
"Being able to give those parents some peace of mind is rewarding," says Molberg. "Asthma may not be curable, but it is controllable."
Walmart Pharmacy recognizes the importance of providing support to asthma sufferers and their families. There will be asthma clinics in select stores across the country on May 4th, World Asthma Day.
For more information, or to make an appointment for a pharmacist consultation, call or visit your local Walmart Pharmacy.
Asthma managed using
the mydoctor.ca Health Portal
In the last enewsletter, we wrote about the mydoctor.ca Health Portal, an online tool designed by physicians to be a resource that healthcare professionals and patients can use to assist in managing asthma. Resources developed by the Asthma Society of Canada are available on the portal. Here is the story of one person who has used the system.
Sandy Fulton is a 22-year-old semi-professional bike racer living in Perth, Ontario. He recently began complaining of breathing and coughing issues during training rides and races. Subsequent tests led to a rare diagnosis of exercise-induced asthma.
"I have been using the mydoctor.ca Health Portal's asthma tracker tool since October 2007. I would definitely recommend the portal to other patients because it allows us to take a more active role in our health and well-being."
"As a semi-professional cyclist, I take pride in my training and in leading a healthy lifestyle. I now consider the mydoctor.ca Health Portal as an extension of my training program. My main job is to take 30 seconds before and after a training ride to measure my lung capacity. Once I get a reading, I plug the data and any other symptoms into mydoctor.ca so that my physician and I can keep track of the results. The ultimate goal is to get a better idea of what aggravates my asthma and identify patterns."
"My commitment to cycling takes me throughout Canada and around the world. For this reason, I appreciate the Personal Health Record (PHR) also offered on the mydoctor.ca Health Portal. The PHR allows me and my physician to update and access my health data even when I am traveling."
"I have found that mydoctor.ca Health Portal has enabled me to have a better relationship with not only my physician, but also my own body, as I am starting to take a more active role in managing my health."
National Lung Health Framework Resouces
The National Lung Health Framework is the result of a collaboration of governments, non-profit organizations and health care professionals from across Canada. The Asthma Society of Canada was involved in the development process and is working on a number of projects connected to the framework. The aim of the partners is to address respiratory disease and to advance the respiratory health of everyone living in Canada.
Throughout the Framework's development, stakeholders have been looking for an accessible, reliable resource to help identify "who is doing what, where?" There are many successful and innovative programs and organizations making a difference in the field of respiratory health. Often those working in respiratory health however, do not have the tools to discover these programs and may expend resources which could otherwise be shared.
As part of our ongoing commitment to knowledge sharing, partnership building and enhancing alignment and collaboration, the National Lung Health Framework has developed Respiratory Resources Canada; an online, easily accessible and reliable database of respiratory programming in Canada.
With over 500 resources online so far, Respiratory Resources Canada provides access to information about a variety of projects, programs and initiatives taking place all across Canada in many fields of respiratory health. Using a simple, user friendly search page, stakeholders are able to find others working in similar programs and areas of expertise, as well as search for compatible and aligned programs in other fields of respiratory health, across different regions and targeting a variety of populations and communities.
To search projects, programs and initiatives, or to add your own, simply go to www.lunghealthframework.ca where you can access to the Respiratory Resources Canada database, find out more about the National Lung Health Framework and find the latest news and updates.
LG Vacuum Cleaners Receive Certification
The asthma & allergy friendly™ Certification Program is delighted to report its continued expansion and development in many product sectors. With the latest news being the launch of the most recently certified product, LG Electronic Inc.'s LuV300 vacuum cleaner with Kompressor® technology.
The Certification Program partners, the Asthma Society of Canada and Allergy Standards Ltd (ASL) were pleased to announce that this new vacuum cleaner from LG Electronics has now received the asthma & allergy friendly™ Certification Mark.
Dr John McKeon, ASL's Chief Executive Officer said of the newly certified product, "Advancing the cause to create healthier indoor air is what drives us daily. We're very pleased to see LG Electronics expanding their range of products certified asthma & allergy friendly™, in doing this they continue to assist in the program's mission to help consumers concerned with indoor air quality, particulary those suffering from asthma and allergies, to easily identify products that will help them improve the quality of their home life. Now more than ever, as homes are sealed to maximize energy efficiency, it's critical that the products we use are optimized to create the healthiest indoor air environments possible."
The Program Manager, Andrea Richardson, went on to say, "World Asthma Day brings with it a reminder of the responsibility of healthcare professionals, educators and other related bodies, such as the asthma & allergy friendly™ Certification Program, to continue to endeavour to provide assistance and support to members of the public looking for products and services to enhance their quality of life. And we hope the continual testing and certification of new products as asthma & allergy friendly™ will help the Certification Program contribute to this important ambition"
Celebrating 15 Years of Seja's Run
The second Sunday of May is celebrated as Mother's Day. For the last 15 years, the second Saturday of May has become Seja's Run day.
Seja von Wersebe was a student at the Toronto French school. During her life she lived with asthma.
The alumni association, students and staff honour Seja with a 5k and 2.5k fun run that has raised over $60,000 for the Asthma Society of Canada since the first run.
The ASC and Team Asthma will be represented by a number of volunteers and by John Healy, the ASC's elite-level Athlete Ambassador.
Donations can be made by going to the Seja's Run giving page on Canadahelps.org > >
The following month, Team Asthma is participating in the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon on Sunday, June 27th. Runners can register for the Charity Challenge event here. Include the name of the Asthma Society of Canada as the charity you are supporting. To make an online donation to Team Asthma, click here > >
Team Asthma is a project of the ASC designed to partner with existing events and volunteers across Canada to raise awareness and funds for ASC services. The ASC is looking for any event that highlights the abilities of people living with asthma to be active and barrier-free. With Team Asthma, local events will be on the Team Asthma online calendar, can be set up with online donations and receive educational materials about asthma. To get started with your Team Asthma event, send an email to info@asthma.ca
