June 14, 2006

LANSING – A new strategic plan unveiled by a public/private coalition outlines proactive steps that state agencies and public health organizations will take over the next five years to reduce asthma throughout Michigan.

The Asthma Initiative of Michigan (AIM) introduced the state’s new strategic plan to concretely address asthma and asthma-related issues at an event today in Lansing, state officials said.

“We are pleased that this comprehensive plan has such widespread support from a conglomerate of health advocates,” said Janet Olszewski, Director of the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH). “We intend to use this strategic plan as a roadmap to guide Michigan’s asthma activities over the course of the next five years.”

AIM’s new strategic plan – endorsed by MDCH – is designed to meet the Healthy People 2010 asthma targets, and focuses on making system-level changes and addressing groups that are disparately affected by asthma. Asthma in Michigan 2010: A Blueprint for Action incorporates lessons learned from the implementation of AIM’s original strategic plan – created in 2001 – and includes the following framework of six goals:

· Identify and eliminate asthma disparities in Michigan

· Assess Michigan’s asthma burden to identify disparities, high-risk populations and trends

· Support awareness of and partnerships to address asthma in Michigan

· Improve systems of asthma care in Michigan

· Reduce barriers to self-management for people with asthma in Michigan

· Reduce exposure to environmental factors that cause and/or exacerbate asthma in Michigan

"The true strength of AIM comes from its member partners, including 12 local asthma coalitions, the Michigan Consortium of Asthma Coalitions, and the Michigan Asthma Advisory Committee and its work groups," said Carol Christner, Chief Operating Officer of the American Lung Association, which also endorses the plan. “It is because of their hard work that this comprehensive strategic plan is today a reality."

Asthma – a chronic disease of the lungs, where an irritant, or trigger, causes the lungs to tighten, swell and produce too much mucus – causes a person to cough, wheeze or feel short of breath. There is no cure for asthma, but it can be controlled with proper medications and avoidance strategies, Christner said.

In Michigan, asthma affects more than 863,000 people, including more than 230,000 children and 630,000 adults. Throughout the state, asthma exacts a huge toll, costing approximately $460 million per year. There are about 150 deaths due to asthma in Michigan each year. For more information regarding the disease, please visit www.GetAsthmaHelp.org.