Asthma
Asthma affects more than 4 million children in the U.S. and is one of the leading causes of missed school days. This chronic condition can disrupt learning, limit physical activity, and place long-term strain on families and school systems. Children spend a large portion of their day at schools, and they are vital touchpoints for safe environments, early detection of asthma, asthma management, and support for children with asthma.
NACDD is Addressing Asthma in Schools
The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors is partnering with the American Lung Association (ALA) to implement the Diverse Strategies to Address Asthma in Schools project. Launched in 2025, This initiative is designed to strengthen asthma prevention and management through practical school-based solutions.
The project is grounded in a multi-pronged approach that blends health education, trained asthma facilitator outreach, stakeholder engagement, and tailored asthma resources. The project’s efforts focus on:
- Training school program facilitators on evidence-based programs that address asthma in schools, such as Open Airways for Schools and Kickin’ Asthma
- Providing school staff with the knowledge, tools, and training necessary to effectively support students with asthma
- Developing and updating asthma-related resources, including educational courses, train-the-trainer models, and instructional materials
- Offering training and technical assistance through webinars, facilitator training sessions, and ongoing support calls focused on asthma management in schools
- Strengthening partnerships with key childhood asthma stakeholders, such as school nurses, pediatricians, families, public health agencies, and trained asthma facilitators, to help guide and support project implementation
- Identifying strategic opportunities to increase childhood asthma awareness and expand outreach efforts in schools and communities
Strengthening School Based Responses
to Childhood Asthma
To further support schools in creating more asthma friendly environments and to complement the efforts of NACDD and the American Lung Association, an interactive Story Map, Strengthening School-Based Strategies to Address Childhood Asthma was developed to highlight the geographic and demographic burden of childhood asthma, showcase promising practices for asthma management within school settings, identify actionable opportunities to foster asthma-friendly environments in schools, and share resources to make schools more asthma friendly.
We invite you to explore how the strategies detailed in the Story Map can be implemented in your local school district to improve asthma outcomes and build healthier school environments where children can breathe easier.