The AAE is focused on growth and more than ever it is important to identify leaders among our members. Your interest, support and skill will help our organization continue growing and achieving our mission “to promote asthma education as an integral comprehensive asthma program, to raise the competence of health care professionals who educate individuals and families affected by asthma, and to raise the standard of care and quality of asthma education delivered to those with asthma.”

This is the time for a call to action to submit an application to serve as a member of the Board of Directors for the Association of Asthma Educators. The Board consists of twelve (12) members. Each of these twelve (12) members serves a three (3) year term. A board member can only serve on the board for two (2) completed three year terms. Once the two terms are served, the board member must rotate off the board for two (2) years before reapplying for the board. The 2017 call for nominations has four (4) positions to be filled.

Who can serve? Members in good standing with the Association who have held their AAE membership for at least one year prior to applying are eligible to apply. A committee made up of five board members will review the applications and complete an evaluation form on each applicant.

How do I apply? To submit your application to serve, you must send your current CV that highlights your experience relevant to asthma and asthma education, along with a head photo, and a 100-word vision statement for AAE and how your membership on the board will contribute to your vision, to the Co-Chairs of the Nominating Committee. Applications will be accepted until August 4, 2017. No late submissions will be accepted. Send your information to Bill Pruitt, wpruitt@southalabama.edu.

How is one elected to the board? Once all the applications have been received and reviewed, a slate of candidates for available board positions will be sent to the membership for election by the members. This general election process starts on the first Monday in October, 2017 and closes on October 31, 2017. A letter of acceptance will be sent to successful nominees notifying them of their election to the Board. A letter will also be sent to each person that applied that did not get elected. The newly elected Board of Directors will take effect January 1, 2018.

The strength of AAE can only grow when served by the diversity of its members. We strongly encourage you to consider applying to serve on the Board of Directors. New members bring new ideas and strengths to our organization. It is your knowledge and expertise that helps the AAE to grow and achieve its mission.

We encourage you to look at the bylaws on the website www.asthmaeducators.org—as we follow those guidelines for the election process.

We are always happy to speak to you about the application process and board responsibilities. Feel free to e-mail us. You will find our e-mail address listed under the Board of Directors on the website. The deadline for applying is August 4, 2017.

Thank you for your membership, dedication and interest in serving the Association of Asthma Educators.

Best regards,

Bill Pruitt, MBA, RRT, CPFT, AE-C, FAARC

Chair, Nominating Committee

wpruitt@southalabama.edu

 

June is National Healthy Homes Month! Contact us to discover our Asthma Education for the Community Health Worker program and how it can integrate with your community healthy homes program and improve the lives of families living with asthma.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USEPAIAQ/bulletins/19e3f27

The AAE would like to introduce a new program called Asthma Advocates of the Month.    If you know anyone doing meaningful asthma work, you can nominate that person to receive this award.  Each month, the nominees will receive a commendation letter from the AAE and be listed on our website.   Each nominee will also receive a small gift as a token of our appreciation for his/her efforts.   The recipient does not have to be an active member of the AAE.   If you would like to nominate someone, please email gmetz@ouhsc.edu with the person’s name, email address and a few sentences on why he/she deserves this recognition.

The AAE is celebrating Asthma Month with a membership drive!
Celebrate Asthma Month with us by recruiting new members and you could win a 1 year free membership to the AAE! Entry is easy, when you recruit a new member, simply have them list you as the referring member on the membership application page. There are no limits as to how many times you enter or new members you recruit. Winners with be drawn at the conclusion of the month!

Reduce Indoor Allergens This Spring: Tips for a Healthier Indoor Environment

EPA Indoor Environments Division sent this bulletin at 04/25/2017 11:05 AM EDT

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. Reduce Indoor Allergens This Spring: Tips for a Healthier Indoor Environment Allergy triggers, or allergens, can be found on surfaces and in the air in your home. Get Busy This Spring With Practical Tips to Control Allergens Indoors Limit the amount of allergens that enter your home. Use doormats to help trap allergens before they enter the home. Clean doormats frequently. Consider removing shoes after entering the home. Change heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system and air cleaner filters on schedule (see the manufacturer’s instructions). Do not smoke indoors. Reduce allergens that are produced or can develop indoors. Dry wet items quickly. Prevent mold growth from water spills or leaks by acting quickly when home furnishings or other items get wet. Usually mold won’t grow if items are dried within 24–48 hours. Make sure to fix any leaks promptly as well. Dust often. Vacuum and wash bedding weekly. House dust mites, animal dander and other allergy-causing agents can be reduced, although not completely eliminated, through regular cleaning. Control indoor humidity to help prevent the growth of mold and other organisms. Use kitchen exhaust fans when cooking. Exhaust fans should be vented to the outdoors. Use bathroom exhaust fans or open the window when showering. Consider using air conditioners or dehumidifiers as needed to help control indoor humidity. Air conditioners reduce humidity as they cool the air. Did you know? You can measure the humidity at home with a small, inexpensive moisture or humidity meter, available at many hardware stores. Try to keep indoor humidity below 60 percent and ideally between 30 and 50 percent. If using a humidifier or dehumidifier, routinely empty the water and clean the unit according to the manufacturer’s instructions to prevent mold and bacteria from growing or getting into the air. Clean window-unit air conditioner drip pans routinely, and replace filters per the manufacturer’s recommendations.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USEPAIAQ/bulletins/196491c

Teva Pharmaceuticals announced two new inhalers, the AirDuo Respiclick (fluticasone propionate and salmeterol) and its authorized generic.  These inhalers are both breath-activated inhalers that do not use spacers.   The availability of a generic inhaled corticosteroid and long acting bronchodilator offers generic treatment options for asthma.

AirDuo Launch Press Release.pdf

The latest Hot Topics article review is available on our website: Virtual Teach-To-Goal Adaptive Learning of Inhaler Technique for Inpatients with Asthma or COPD 

This study is the first to validate and demonstrate the efficacy of a self-directed personalized virtual learning tool, V-TTG TM, to teach inhaler technique. Because prior in-person educational interventions were limited in time and settings, this strategy that can first be used in the hospital and then repeated at home for reinforcement of the education addressed these important limitations. 

New from AAN: What parents need to know about peanut allergy guidelines.
Matt Greenhawt, MD, explains what the new NIAID guidelines recommend and what types of peanut-containing foods should be given to infants and young children.
Watch Now

Learn something new in 2017! Did you know that the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (#AHRQ) offers free CE/CME resources for health care professionals including members of AAE? Click here to see continuing-education credit learning activities.  http://ce.ahrq.gov/pcor/

Events are added periodically to our new calendar of events section of our website. You can view the list of events, or toggle to "Calendar View" for your convenience.

Check back often for new updates on Asthma Education. You can submit events to admin@asthmaeducators.org for review and posting