July 2009
Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago's e-newsletter is published monthly and contains news of RHAMC happenings, program updates and links to lung health resources.
This month's issue includes:
- H1N1 (Swine) Flu at Summer Camp
- More than 500 COPD Patients & Guests Cruise on Lake Michigan
- Dr. Hogarth Works to Identify Patients with Genetic Link to COPD
- Another Victory for Cleaner Air
To receive RHAMC's monthly e-newsletter, send an email to info@lungchicago.org.
H1N1 (Swine) Flu at summer camp
Last month, the World Health Organization raised the global pandemic alert level in response to the ongoing spread of the novel H1N1 flu virus. The decision to raise the alert level is due to the spread of the virus, and not the severity of illness that the virus causes. As cases continue to rise in Illinois and across the United States during the summer months, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released interim guidance for day, residential and overnight camp settings, which may experience special challenges to reducing the spread of the novel H1N1 flu virus.
CDC general recommendations for camps include:
- Campers and staff should stay home or away from others when sick. Staff, volunteers and campers that have had flu-like symptoms 7 days prior to the start of camp should not attend, and should not attend camp for 7 days after their symptoms started or until they have been symptom-free for 24 hours (whichever is longer).
- Flu-like symptoms should be identified early and reported to camp. Camps should consider screening of all campers, staff and volunteers upon arrival if they have had any flu-like symptoms 7 days prior to coming to camp.
- Camps should consider developing a training program for their staff, and providing age-appropriate educational materials on H1N1 for their campers.
- All campers and staff should be encouraged to effectively cover their cough or sneeze.
- Good hand washing should be encouraged frequently. Hand washing facilities with water and soap should be accessible, and enough alcohol-based hand sanitizers should be available in cases where hand washing facilities are not available.
- Areas that are more likely to have frequent hand contact should be cleaned regularly.
These are interim guidelines have been provided by the CDC and may be revised as more information becomes available. Check the CDC's website for updates.
For more information about H1N1 flu virus or RHAMC's Influenza Prevention Program, contact Doreen Minnice.
More than 500 COPD patients & guests cruise on Lake Michigan
On June 16, RHAMC hosted the 6th Annual Cruising with COPD social event at Navy Pier. More than 500 people living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), their guests, and pulmonary rehabilitation staff from across Chicago and Illinois enjoyed the luncheon cruise aboard the Odyssey and the Spirit of Chicago. Guests were welcomed by CBS2 anchorwoman Anne State, and the cruise featured a raffle and live entertainment.
In order to make the event accessible to as many individuals as possible, RHAMC arranges bus transportation from pulmonary rehab programs throughout the area, and supplemental oxygen is provided by generous sponsors. The event demonstrates that people living with COPD can lead healthy, active, social lives and raises awareness about COPD.
It is estimated that more than 550,000 people in Illinois have been diagnosed with either chronic bronchitis, emphysema or a combination of both. This does not take into account those Illinois residents that may have the disease, but have not yet been diagnosed. COPD is a chronic respiratory disease which is currently the nation's fourth leading cause of death and largely unknown by the general public.
For more information about next year's COPD Cruise and other programs for COPD patients, email or call Eileen Lowery at (312) 628-0217.
This year's participants represented at least 9 Illinois counties and came from the following pulmonary rehabilitation groups:
| • Adventist LaGrange Memorial | • Northwest Community Hospital |
| • Advocate Christ Medical Center | • Our Lady of the Resurrection Hospital |
| • Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital | • OSF St. Anthony Hospital (Peoria) |
| • Central DuPage Hospital | • OSF St. Francis Medical Center (Peoria) |
| • Edward Hospital | • Palos Community Hospital |
| • Elmhurst Hospital | • Proctor Hospital (Peoria) |
| • Gottlieb Hospital | • Provena St. Joseph Medical Center (Joliet) |
| • Graham Wellness Center (Canton) | • Provena St. Joseph Hospital (Elgin) |
| • Jesse Brown VA Hospital | • Rockford Memorial Hospital |
| • John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County | • Rush Oak Park Hospital |
| • Lake Forest Hospital | • Swedish American Hospital (Rockford) |
| • NorthShore University Hospital at Skokie |
Dr. Hogarth works to identify patients with genetic link to COPD
RHAMC has been awarded an educational grant from Baxter Bioscience to sponsor the research of Dr. Kyle Hogarth at the University of Chicago. The $53,000 grant will help Dr. Hogarth design and execute a program to demonstrate that a direct-to-consumer education and awareness campaign can increase the number of COPD patients tested for Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.
In 2008, the Illinois COPD Coalition, convened by RHAMC, announced a comprehensive COPD State plan that outlines sustainable solutions for reducing the burden of COPD in Illinois. Dr Hogarth's research focuses on one component of the state plan aimed at improving quality of life and outcomes for patients with COPD.
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is an inherited disorder that can cause lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). At least 100,000 people in the United States may have Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, and in prior studies, 1 - 4.5% of patients diagnosed with COPD have been shown to have this disorder. Since genetic factors are thought to play a role in COPD, Dr. Hogarth's research seeks to prove one way of increasing the number of people who are aware of their genetic predisposition to the disease.
To learn more about Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency or Dr. Hogarth's research, contact Stacy Ignoffo.
Another victory for cleaner air
Last month the Cook County Board approved a Green Construction Ordinance that requires all contractors working on County construction contracts of $2 million or more to use cleaner fuels and pollution controls. These controls will remove up to 90% of exhaust soot from diesel vehicles and construction equipment.
With the announcement, Cook County becomes the first county in the Midwest to adopt a green construction ordinance. RHAMC and our partners in the Illinois Campaign to Clean Up Diesel Pollution applaud Cook County decision-makers for their leadership in passing this ordinance as a way to protect public health and improve air quality in Cook County.
Reducing diesel pollution is a key factor in improving Cook County's air quality, which currently violates federal health standards for fine particulate matter. Improved air quality will protect the public from health conditions related to diesel exhaust such as lung cancer, asthma, heart attack, strokes, and premature death.
To view our campaign press release, please click here.
To get more involved in RHAMC's fight to clean up diesel pollution or to learn more about RHAMC's efforts to improve air quality, please contact Ashley Collins.
