Program
April 2014
Segment Time
Good Health Starts at Home
Lesson Guide
Asthma and Allergies
30 minutes to 1.5 hours
Purpose
Audience
Learning
Objectives
Instructor
Lesson
Materials
Participant
Materials
To provide general knowledge of the disease of asthma and provide
awareness of identification and prevention of asthma and allergy triggers in
the home environment.
General consumer audience
Participants will accomplish the following:
Knowledge: Describe symptoms and causes of asthma and allergies.
Comprehension: Identify asthma/allergy triggers in the home environment.
Application:
 List examples of low-cost actions en to reduce asthma/allergy triggers
in the home, including: dust mites, pests, pets, mold, second-hand
smoke, nitrogen dioxide (byproduct of burning fuel) and other irritants
(chemicals, cleaners, air fresheners, perfumes, hair spray, pesticides,
scented or unscented products, cold air, and outdoor pollution).
 Identify resources for more help and information.
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Asthma and Allergies Lesson Guide
PowerPoint with speaker notes
Help Yourself to a Healthy Home booklet
Healthy Homes: Assessing Your Indoor Environment (strongly
recommended)
Publications/Handouts of choice (optional—see below for suggestions)
Name tags/tent cards for each student
Pre/Post Tests and Evaluation form for each student
Sign-in sheet, pens/pencils for participant
Selected materials and supplies for demonstration activities (see below)
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Asthma and Allergies PrePosttest/Evaluation
Pens/pencils/paper
Help Yourself to a Healthy Home book
Copy of PowerPoint slides (optional)
Other selected student publications/resource materials (optional)
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Equipment
Helpful
websites
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Laptop
LCD Projector
Speakers for computer (if showing videos)
Extension cord and power strip (plus tape to tape down cords)
Microphone (if you are inviting a guest speaker or have a large group)
White board or flip chart and markers
Internet connection to show videos
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US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Healthy homes
and lead hazard control: www.healthyhomes.hud.gov
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) http://www.epa.gov/asthma
American Lung Association http://www.lung.org/lung-disease/asthma/
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/lung/index.htm
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Publications/
Resource
Materials
(select most
appropriate
materials for
your audience)
(Optional)
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Help Yourself to a Healthy Home http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/H/HE0883/HE-0883.pdf focus on chapter on Asthma & Allergies (required)
Healthy Homes: Assessing Your Indoor Environment (with DVD)
mms://wms.aces.edu/media/satellite/booth/eng_hh.wmv (strongly
recommended) 24 minute video
Scenes 1-4 introduces a county agent going to a house to assess healthy
homes issues.
For asthma, show scenes 5, 6 (child’s asthma triggers), 12 (pest problems
in kitchen), 16,17,18 and 19 (these show dust mites, mold, pet dander and
secondhand smoke).
HUD Publications: www.healthyhomes.hud.gov
 Seven Tips for Keeping a Healthy Home
http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=DOC_11882.pdf
 Asthma Factsheet (download 1 page)
http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=OHHLHCflyerAst
hma.pdf (download—2 pages)
 Allergy Factsheet
http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=OHHLHCflyerAlle
rgy.pdf (download—2 pages)
EPA Publications: http://www.epa.gov/ncepihom/ordering.html
To order hard copy publications from EPA: National Service Center for
Environmental Publications (NSCEP)
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Asthma EPA Publications: http://www.epa.gov/asthma/publications.html
(Download or order several weeks in advance)
 Asthma Home Environment Checklist
http://www.epa.gov/asthma/pdfs/home_environment_checklist.pdf
 Help Your Child Gain Control Over Asthma (also in Spanish) (for parents
and caregivers)
http://www.epa.gov/asthma/pdfs/ll_asthma_brochure.pdf
 Asthma Facts
http://www.epa.gov/asthma/pdfs/asthma_fact_sheet_en.pdf
Asthma Action Plan (pick one and download)
 NHLBI/NIH
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/lung/asthma/asthma_actplan.pd
f
 American Lung Association http://www.lung.org/lungdisease/asthma/living-with-asthma/take-control-of-yourasthma/AsthmaActionPlan-JUL2008-high-res.pdf
Asthma medications: factsheets on types of inhalers, spacers, nebulizers, etc.
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/lung/asthma/asthma_tipsheets.pdf
Additional Resources
 National Environmental Education Foundation—Environmental
Management of Pediatric Asthma—Dust Mites, Cockroaches, Pets, Mold,
Cigarette Smoke, and Air Pollution, handouts for interventions and patient
guidelines (also in Spanish)
http://www.neefusa.org/health/asthma/asthmaguidelines.htm
 Allergy & Asthma Network: Mothers of Asthmatics. Indoor AIRepair at
Home. Room-by-room tips, nontoxic cleaning recipes, checklist for action
steps http://www.aanma.org/pdf/AIRRepairHomeNL.pdf
 Statistics on asthma prevalence in the U.S. (CDC)—compare states:
http://ephtracking.cdc.gov/showAsthma.action (click on Search Data)
For children:
 Dusty the Asthma Goldfish and His Triggers (also in Spanish) (EPA
educational activity book for children)
http://www.epa.gov/asthma/pdfs/dustythegoldfish_en.pdf
 Is Your Home A Healthy Home (Coloring and Activity Book)
http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/H/HE-0937/HE-0937.pdf
For athletes and coaches:
 The Coach’s Asthma Clipboard Program
http://www.health.state.mn.us/asthma/coachclipboard.htm
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For Native American populations:
 Native AIR, Native Asthma (16 minute video)
http://www.nativeasthma.org/Materials.htm
Mold:
A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home (EPA)
http://www.epa.gov/mold/pdfs/moldguide.pdf
Secondhand Smoke:
 EPA Smoke-free Homes http://www.epa.gov/smokefree/
Selected
videos
Order DVDs in advance or provide internet connection for link.
 Healthy Homes: Assessing Your Indoor Environment video: (23:45)
mms://wms.aces.edu/media/satellite/booth/eng_hh.wmv
Produced by Cornell Cooperative Extension, shows health and safety
inside actual homes with tips to control these hazards. (See selected
scenes for different topics).
(this is a recording of the DVD that accompanies the booklet:
http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/H/HE-0923/HE-0923.pdf
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EPA: Breathing Freely: Controlling Asthma Triggers Video (also available in
Spanish) (10 minutes) http://www.epa.gov/asthma/publications.html
American Lung Association and EPA Video: Asthma Awareness Message
(1:38 minutes)
http://www.lung.org/associations/charters/midland-states/programinformation/asthma/
 American Lung Association: What is Asthma? animation that shows
three primary changes in the airways during an asthma attack
(inflammation, bronchoconstriction, increase in mucus):
http://www.lung.org/lung-disease/asthma/learning-more-aboutasthma/asthma-basics.html (2 minutes)
YouTube videos (connection to Internet required or download in advance)
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmQeKUEfnBc Asthma
symptoms (4 minutes)
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqBTKE_PStY types of asthma
medications (7 minutes)
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=NUob
1sfL3Ig (American Lung Association: Quick Relief Medicines) (30
seconds)
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Extended
Activity
Asthma Awareness Month: Promotional Activity for May
Download event planning kit from:
http://www.epa.gov/asthma/awareness.html
Children’s Health Month (October)
http://yosemite.epa.gov/ochp/ochpweb.nsf/content/chm-home.htm
Suggested
Materials and
Supplies for
Demonstration
s and Activities
(select most
appropriate
materials for
your audience)
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Coffee stirring straws (one for each participant) for the How Asthma Feels
activity
Model of airways—asthmatic airways vs. normal airways (asthma easel
display available from 3B Scientific http://www.a3bs.com/AsthmaAllergies-Education,pg_1208_346_1094.html
Asthma inhaler (try to borrow used one from asthma patient—or have
pharmacist guest speaker demonstrate—see Guest Speaker form)
Peak flow meter (try to borrow used one from asthma patient—or have
pharmacist guest speaker demonstrate—see Guest Speaker form)
Asthma spacer (try to borrow used one from asthma patient—or have
pharmacist guest speaker demonstrate—see Guest Speaker form)
Integrated Pest Management tools: sticky traps, baits, copper scrubber,
mouse/rat traps, caulking, boric acid, garbage bag, sealed storage
container—available at hardware stores
Dust/Allergen-Proof pillow/mattress covers—available at
Walmart/Target/department stores
Microfiber cleaning cloths—cheapest available at auto parts stores
N-95 mask (for cleaning mold/dust—available at hardware stores)
Pleated and fiberglass air filters (get small sizes to demonstrate)
Fragrance-free hypoallergenic detergent and soap—grocery stores
HEPA filter for a vacuum cleaner—Walmart/Target/hardware stores (or
demonstrate a HEPA vacuum if available)
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Preparing for this Lesson
Asthma and Allergies
Preparing for
this Session
This lesson assumes that an Extension educator will be the speaker for the
session. If an alternate speaker or co-speaker is used, be certain they have
reviewed the material and are clear that Extension is tasked with presenting
non-biased material.
Before the Training:
1. Several weeks in advance:
a. Determine appropriate training location and time.
b. Contact an Extension educator or other guest speaker(s) at least a
month in advance (optional)—if using, use Guest Speaker
Confirmation form. For this subject area, consider asking a
pharmacist or IPM Extension Specialist.
c. Send out notices for the training.
d. Order handouts/reference materials/videos (especially those from
EPA) if not making copies.
2. At least one week before training:
a. Read the lesson guide and PowerPoint materials carefully and
thoroughly. Review speaker notes and add notes if necessary.
b. Review the Help Yourself to a Healthy Home book and Healthy
Homes: Assessing Your Indoor Environment booklet. Watch the
DVD for the Assessing booklet and select the scenes applicable to
subject areas if you choose to show the DVD.
c. Review handouts/reference materials and supplemental material
carefully. Select handouts that may be useful for your audience.
d. Make copies of handouts for this session.
e. Review the optional activities and choose show and tell
activity/demonstration tools. Visit a retail store and purchase
demonstration supplies as needed or bring examples from home.
See Suggested Materials and Supplies for Demonstrations and
Activities.
f. Download any videos on your computer if you don’t have the DVD.
g. Download suggested YouTube videos.
3. Day before Training:
a. Assemble snacks/beverages: water, sodas, crackers, fruit, plates,
napkins, etc.
b. Load course materials on computer/thumb drive.
4. Day of Training
a. Arrive at least 45 minutes in advance
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b. Set up computer/LCD projector/check speakers. Tape down cords.
c. Set out references/publications, course materials. Either place on
participants’ tables or place near registration table for students to
pick up. Set out registration sign-in list.
d. Set up demonstration tools on table or have in container for easy
access.
e. Set up whiteboard/large flipchart.
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Presenting the Program
Asthma and Allergies
Important
Instructor
Notes
1. Remember to use activities, demonstration of materials, and videos for a
variety of teaching tools and to not be too dependent on the PowerPoint
slides.
2. Encourage participation and questions by the participants throughout the
presentation. Be interactive with your learners.
3. Provide personal stories when possible. People sometimes remember
better when personal stories are shared either by you or by the
participants.
4. Good visuals will provide guided practice for the learning objectives of the
lesson. Activities and demonstration materials can reinforce learning.
5. The adult learner brings a background of learning and experience that
contributes to learning. Many will have experienced some of these home
hazards in their own homes.
6. The purpose of this information is to empower people with knowledge so
they will adopt healthy behaviors and to offer practical, low-cost action
steps to solve problems.
7. Emphasize the vulnerability of children for environmental health concerns.
These are important concepts to remember:
a. Children are not just little adults. Their organs (especially the
brain) and immune systems are still developing, especially until
about age 6. Their metabolic rates are faster. Pound-per-pound
children drink, eat and breathe more than adults.
b. Children’s behaviors keep them closer to the floor—where
pollutants may collect.
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Training Agenda
Asthma and Allergies
Segment
Sign-in and
Introductions
Time
10
minutes
Activity
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Introduction
and Objectives
Materials/Notes
Sign-in sheet
Make sure everyone has signed the
sign-in sheet. If participants didn’t
sign in upon entering, pass around
the sign-in sheet.
Introductions (including yourself) or
get-acquainted activity of your
choice.
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PowerPoint slides 1-4
Ask: Have you ever had-- Stinging or watery eyes?
 Burning throat?
 Wheezing or trouble breathing?
 Where? Home? Store? Outside?
 What do you think caused it?
 Does anyone here have asthma or
allergies or know someone who
does?
Review Learning Objectives
Review Publications
Help Yourself to a Healthy Home
HUD Healthy Home website resources:
www.healthyhomes.hud.gov
What is
asthma?
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Publications: Help
Yourself to a Healthy
Home
HUD publications:
 Seven Tips for
Keeping a Healthy
Home
 Asthma Factsheet
 Allergy Factsheet
EPA publications
(optional—listed above)
PowerPoint Slides 5-7
Discuss asthma facts and prevalence.
 Asthma is a chronic disease
 Asthma can be controlled, but it
cannot be cured
 Most common chronic childhood
disease
 26 million adults/7 million children
in U.S. have asthma
 Hereditary disposition, children at
greater risk to environmental
pollutants
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HYHH book
Publication: Asthma
Facts
http://www.epa.gov/as
thma/pdfs/asthma_fact
_sheet_en.pdf
What happens
during an
asthma attack?
What does
asthma feel
like?
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Discuss: 3 components
 Chronic Inflammation of tissues of
airways—air passages become
swollen
 Muscles in the airways contract and
airways narrow
 Mucous produced clogs airways
PowerPoint slides 8-9
Say: Stand up and jog in place for 30
seconds. Now hold your nose and
breathe only through the straw for one
minute. How do you feel?
PowerPoint slide 10
Discuss:
Warning signs: coughing, wheezing,
shortness of breath, etc.
PowerPoint slides 1112
Demonstrate:
Asthma airways model
(if available)
Show: YouTube video—
describes asthma
symptoms (4 minutes)
http://www.youtube.co
m/watch?v=mmQeKUEf
nBc
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Warning signs
of asthma
1
Asthma can be
controlled
10
Discuss:
2 main ways to control asthma:
1. Proper use of medications
2. Controlling triggers
Asthma Action Plan: examples
2 Types of asthma medications:
1. Controller/everyday
2. Rescue/quick relief
Demonstration activity:
Pass out one stirring
straw to each
participant
PowerPoint slides 1320
Publications: Asthma
Action Plans (see
examples above)
Demonstrate:
 Asthma inhaler
 Spacer
 Peak flow meter
Show: YouTube videos
 http://www.you
tube.com/watch
?v=AqBTKE_PStY
types of asthma
medications (7
minutes)
10
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Emergency
treatment for
asthma
Indoor Air
Pollution and
asthma
triggers
1
minutes
5
Discuss signs of a severe attack and
what to do (medications or ER). Discuss
allergens and symptoms.
Discuss common asthma triggers:
allergens, irritants, exercise, infections,
emotions, weather
Discuss Indoor Air Pollution and
common asthma triggers
http://www.you
tube.com/watch
?feature=player
_embedded&v=
NUob1sfL3Ig
(American Lung
Association:
Quick Relief
Medicines) (30
seconds)
PowerPoint slide 21
PowerPoint slides 2428
Publication:
EPA Asthma Home
Environment Checklist
Discuss each of the five major indoor
environmental asthma triggers,
including where each trigger is found
and action steps that can reduce
effects.
 Secondhand smoke
 Dust mites
 Pet dander
 Mold
 Pests
Secondhand
Smoke
Dust mites
2
5
Discuss dangers of particles in
secondhand smoke
PowerPoint slides 2932
Quitline materials 1-800-QUIT-NOW
Demonstrate:
State quitline materials
Discuss dust mites and where they are
found
Demonstrate tools to control dust
PowerPoint slides 3337
Demonstrate:
Pillow/mattress covers,
HEPA vacuum/bag,
microfiber cloths
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Mold
5
Discuss the key to mold control is
moisture control
Pets
2
Pests
5
Discuss importance of keeping pets off
furniture/beds and out of bedrooms of
those with pet allergies
Discuss IPM (Integrated Pest
Management) as best way to control
pests
Air Cleaners
and Filters
1
Explain room air cleaners to be used
only as a last resort. Clean/prevent
triggers first. Do not use air cleaners
that produce ozone.
Other asthma
triggers
2
Discuss other things that trigger
asthma: infections, cold weather,
exercise, strong fragrances, pollen
Review
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Show EPA video: Breathing Freely:
Controlling Asthma Triggers (also
available in Spanish)
Review 2 ways to control asthma, use
of asthma action plans
Cite additional sources of
information—both federal and
state/local resources
Administer Pre/posttest/Evaluation.
Learn more
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Evaluation
5-10
PowerPoint slides 3842
Demonstrate:
N-95 face mask
Toilet paper test of
ventilation
Publication:
EPA Mold, Moisture and
Your Home
PowerPoint slides 4345
PowerPoint slides 4652
Demonstrate:
Baits, traps, low-toxic
products (boric acid,
etc.), caulk
PowerPoint slides 5354
Demonstrate:
Pleated and fiberglass
air filters
PowerPoint slide 55
Demonstrate:
fragrance-free
hypoallergenic
detergent and soap
PowerPoint slide 56
http://www.epa.gov/ast
hma/publications.html
PowerPoint slide 57
Pre/Posttest Evaluation
form
Questions/comments
Original version created by Bobbie Shaffett, Mississippi State University, 2012
Adapted by Laura Booth, Auburn University, April 2014
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Sample news release or radio spot
Asthma and Allergies
Everyone deserves a healthy home. However, did you know that some of the most serious
health and safety problems may start at home? In the U.S., most people spend over 90% of
their time indoors. Over 25 million people, including 7 million children, have asthma. Does
someone you live with smoke? Do you have pets? Is your home damp? These are just some of
the environmental factors that can trigger asthma attacks and impact the health and safety of
indoor environments.
There are steps and resources that can help you keep the air clean inside your home.
(agency name) is sponsoring a program at (time)
on
(date)
at (location) .
This program covers asthma and allergies in the indoor environment. The program will address
asthma triggers such as dust mites, mold, cockroaches, pet dander and secondhand smoke.
Additional helpful resources will be given. For more information or to register for the program
call or email (agency name) at (phone number) or (email address) .
May is Asthma Awareness Month
Download the Event Planning Kit: http://www.epa.gov/asthma/awareness.html
The Kit contains:
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Ideas for Asthma Awareness Activities
Plan an Asthma Education Event in Your School
Ten Ways to Manage Asthma in Your School
Plan an Asthma Education Event at a Local Clinic or Hospital
Asthma Education Ideas for Health Insurers and Managed Care Organizations
Plan an Asthma Education Event at Your State Capitol
Sample Proclamation From a Local Official
Media Outreach Tips
Asthma Facts
Press Release Template
National Organizations and EPA Regional Contacts
Resources Order Form
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Guest Speaker Confirmation Form:
Asthma and Allergies
Speaker:
Today’s Date:
Presentation Date & Time:
Location:
Location Directions:
# Of Expected Participants:
General Audience:
Background:
The asthma workshop you are speaking at provides consumers
with information on asthma symptoms and treatment. Your
experiences with asthma may help people to understand one or
more of the following: symptoms of asthma, medications and
medical devices used to treat asthma and ways to control asthma
by avoiding environmental triggers. Please share information that
will help those with asthma or those caring for someone with
asthma.
Thank you language:
Other info:
Please let the workshop coordinator know of any audiovisual
equipment or other needs you might have at least 2 business days
prior to the presentation.
Asthma workshop
coordinator contact info:
Thank you for agreeing to share your expertise on Asthma & Allergies.
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