Do you suffer from asthma or know someone who does? Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department can help.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways that causes swelling and narrowing of the airways; it produces mucus and obstructs airflow to the lungs.

Especially during periods of poor air quality, those with asthma and other respiratory issues can have difficulty with every day activities.  According to the Washington State Department of Health, asthma affects more than nine percent of Washington adults and nearly 110,000 youth in Washington.

Along with our partner, MultiCare Health System, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department offers the Clean Air for Kids Program to help people tackle health challenges asthma creates. Clear Air for Kids provides preventive and management services for children with asthma, severe allergies and other respiratory issues. All Pierce County residents as well as MultiCare pediatric patients in most MultiCare service areas are eligible for these free services.

As a part of Clean Air for Kids, Asthma outreach workers provide home visits that include asthma education basics, symptom evaluation, medication and doctor’s instructions overview and the development of asthma action plans. Outreach workers also perform an environmental assessment of the home. The assessment includes possible asthma triggers, such as tobacco use, secondhand and third hand smoke, pet dander and fur, household cleaners and chemicals, pest control, proper ventilation, dust and dust mites, track-in dirt, general cleaning, moisture control and mold, carbon monoxide, humidity and solutions for triggers.

Healthcare providers can fax referrals or have patients contact the Health Department directly. Anyone can call and refer themselves or their children to participate in the program at (253) 798-4826 or (253) 798-7399 for Spanish speakers. Translation services for other languages are available. Find more information, resources and referral forms at www.tpchd.org/asthma.

About Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department: Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department’s mission is to safeguard and enhance the health of the communities of Pierce County. As part of this effort, the Health Department tackles known and emerging health risks through policy, programs, and treatment in order to protect public health. Learn more at www.tpchd.org.