The diagnosis of school aged asthma has increased 160% since 1980 and is now the number one most chronic respiratory disease in children. In the state of Indiana, there are 101,812 children with the diagnosis of asthma, with over 10 thousand in Lake and Porter Counties alone.

To date, the cause of asthma is not really known, but what is known is what causes asthma attacks and what is needed to prevent potentially deadly asthma events.

Mission A.I.R.R.
Asthma Initiative for Risk Reduction (A.I.R.R.) is a multidisciplinary coalition, committed to pursuing educational opportunities related to the management of asthma. A.I.R.R. was developed in 1997 in affiliation with The Methodist Hospitals.

A.I.R.R. works in collaboration with the attending physician in cooperation with state and local agencies that seek to improve air quality in Northwest Indiana. This initiative will result in an improvement in the quality of life, reduce recurrent episodes of asthma requiring emergent care, hospitalization and to reduce health care costs.

A.I.R.R. also works in affiliation with the local EPA agency known as the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC) and the American Lung Association.

A.I.R.R. believes that 90% of asthma management and prevention is education.

A.I.R.R. Programs
A.I.R.R. provides educational offerings to local school systems and communities, including:

Open Airways for Schools is a program for children ages eight through eleven. In 1998, A.I.R.R. initiated this program with the Gary Community School System. The schools known to have the highest risk asthmatic children were chosen as first priority. A.I.R.R. members also provide a one-day Open Airway program quarterly. This program is open to the communities and is filled with educational opportunities, food and fun for all ages.

Asthma Super Camp is another educational opportunity provided for children aged nine through fourteen. It is offered every June and is sponsored by the American Lung Association. It is a five day camp located in Rochester, Indiana with transportation provided by the American Lung Association.

Other educational programs sponsored by A.I.R.R. can be found on local radio talk shows and television programs.

If you would like an A.I.R.R. representative to make a presentation to your organization or for more information about A.I.R.R., call (219) 886-4644 or (219) 738-5516.

Asthma Zones / Management

Green Zone: Control
When you are in your green zone, you feel good. You are doing a good job of controlling your asthma, so keep following your treatment plan closely.

Yellow Zone: Warning
In your yellow zone, the swelling and inflammation in your air passages are increasing, and an asthma attack is pending. You may feel no symptoms or you may have warning signs like coughing, chest tightness, itching in your throat, fatigue or mood changes. If you do not take action, you may have an attack. Take the medication that is recommended in your treatment plan to get back into your green zone.

Red Zone: Attack
When you are in your red zone, you are having an attack. You probably feel symptoms like chest pain or trouble breathing. Take your short acting medication. If you do not feel better right away, call your health care provider or 911 immediately.