Media Release

May 12, 2009

1:30 p.m.

This release has been sent at the request of Alachua County Health Department.

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - The Alachua County Health Department presents "Asthma Blow Out! 2009". The event takes place on Saturday, May 30, 2009 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., at the Fearnside Family Service Center (3600 NE 15th Street, Gainesville). Admission is free.

This is a fun, family event for children with and without asthma. There will be food, games, prizes, and raffle drawings. Asthma awareness is taught through fun, interactive games and activities.

In the United States alone, more than 6 million children have asthma, resulting in an average of one out of every 10 school-aged children having asthma.  Asthma is one of the most common serious chronic diseases of childhood and is a rapidly growing public health problem according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In Alachua County, 13.8 percent of the population has asthma, a rate that has been consistently higher than the state's rate. 

While asthma is the third-ranking cause of hospitalization among children under 15, asthma can be controlled.  Environmental factors such as dust mites, molds, cockroaches, pet dander, and secondhand smoke, act as triggers for asthma attacks.  With a plan that includes medication and control of environmental triggers, children with asthma can lead healthy, active lives.

In response to these alarming statistics, and in an effort to raise public awareness of the risks faced by over 500,000 Floridians everyday, Alachua County Health Department (along with community partners: Head Start, UF Pediatric Pulmonary Clinic, Suwannee River AHEC American Heart Association, WUFT/PBS, Healthy Start, Pediatric Health Choice, Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, UF Public Health Association, Kappa Psi, Shands Cardiorespiratory Care, SFCC Respiratory Care Program, SWAT, CHOICES Health Education Program, and the Environmental Protection Agency) is participating in Asthma Awareness Month by sponsoring the community asthma awareness event, Asthma Blow Out! 2009.

For more information, contact Shelly Vickers at 352-334-7900 ext. 3331 or email mshelly_vickers@doh.state.fl.us.