Respiratory Health Task Force
Goals and Objectives
To increase awareness and knowledge of importance of respiratory health (asthma, influenza, and pneumonia)
- To develop a list of existing health fairs and events
- To collect information (results and instruments) on asthma surveys already conducted by other agencies
- To identify 2 asthma materials/campaigns that are already available
- To identify one funding source (either in-kind or monetary) for asthma awareness campaign
- To identify 5 opportunities to integrate asthma, influenza, and pneumonia education into other agencies’ programs, other WCHP’s task forces, and community events
- To hold one World Asthma Day event in Washington County to increase asthma awareness
- To identify one additional funding source (either in-kind or monetary) to supplement influenza and pneumonia campaign
To increase influenza and pneumonia vaccine rates
- To hold an influenza vaccine campaign that distributes 600 influenza to people at risk who otherwise would not be able to afford it
- To hold a pneumonia vaccine campaign that distributes 130 pneumonia vaccines to people at risk who otherwise would not be able to afford them.
To investigate referral, education, advocacy, and empowerment resources for people with asthma
- To create a local resource brochure for people with asthma
- To create a packet of information and display for task force members to use in displays and as resources
Problem Statement
The Respiratory Health Task Force will focus on community outreach and education on the importance of respiratory health with an emphasis on asthma, influenza, and pneumonia. Community is defined as being comprised of schools, physicians, parents, asthmatics, churches, and people with low incomes.
Washington County Health Partners, Inc.’s 2002 Health Assessment found that 67% and 62% of Washington County adults aged 65 and older received an influenza vaccine during the past twelve months and who ever had a pneumonia vaccine. These percentages fall below the State Health Improvement Plan’s goals of 90%. In 2003, Washington County School Districts reported 2,134 students with asthma, or 6.65% of the student population. The American Lung Association Washington County estimates for pediatric and adult asthma are 3,655 and 12,492, respectively.
The task force plans to continue to perform annual influenza and pneumonia vaccine clinics for those otherwise unable to afford them and to plan and implement an annual asthma awareness event.
To join the Respiratory Health Task Force or to support any of these initiatives, please contact Hugh Wallace, Administrative Assistant, at 724-222-6511, ext. 10, or via e-mail at hlw@wchpinc.org.
Events
Task Force Meetings
First Monday of Every Month at 2:00 P.M. in the Fourth Floor Conference
Room at Community Action Southwest (150 W Beau St, Washington, Pa)
January meeting is the second Monday, 1-8-07
Links
Respiratory Health Task Force History
Downloads
Flu Vaccine Flyer in English.
PDF (49 KB)
Flu Vaccine Flyer in Spanish.
PDF (248 KB)
Pneumonia Vaccine Flyer in English.
PDF
(47 KB)
Pneumonia Vaccine Flyer in Spanish.
PDF
(199 KB)
Flu Education Flyer.
PDF (7.5 MB)
Asthma Materials.
Word Document (61 KB)
Asthma Resource List.
PDF
(196 KB)
Asthma Survey.
Word Document (48 KB)