Asthma affects more than 4 million children in the U.S. and is one of the leading causes of missed school days.^1,2 This chronic condition can disrupt learning, limit physical activity, and place long-term strain on families and school systems. Schools serve as more than learning environments, they are vital touchpoints for safe environments, early detection of asthma, asthma management, and support for children with asthma.

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. 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