Six States Named to National Asthma & Allergy ...( Better School Health Policies Hel...),Health

Better School Health Policies Help States Go to the Head of the Class

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than 50 million U.S. school-aged children are heading back to classrooms this month, and 8 million (16%) are taking their asthma and food allergies with them. Fortunately, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America's (AAFA) new national report -- the State Honor Roll(TM) of Asthma and Allergy Policies for Schools -- many schools are better prepared than ever to help protect these students when they return.

"It's clear that several states are leading the way with healthier school policies," says Charlotte Collins, JD, AAFA's Director of Public Policy and Advocacy. "By advocating for more school nurses, banning tobacco, preparing for asthma and allergy emergencies, and other measures, some states are excellent role models."

Six states were named to this year's Honor Roll. The report recognizes their leadership in mandating comprehensive state-wide school policies that address the needs of students with asthma, food allergies, anaphylaxis and other related allergic diseases in elementary, middle and high schools. The 2008 Honor Roll states are:

-- Connecticut

-- Massachusetts

-- New Jersey

-- Rhode Island

-- Vermont

-- Washington

According to AAFA, the goal of this new report is to provide a blueprint for advocates and policymakers to recognize and develop better state-wide school-based policies and practices for students with asthma and allergies. The full report, methodology, tables, detailed state profiles, as well as back-to-school tips and tools are available at the report Web site, http://www.StateHonorRoll.com.

Asthma, Allergies and Schools

In the U.S., more than 5 million children have asthma, nearly 3 million children have food allergies and an estimated 10 million have other all
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