June 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:

To receive RHAMC's monthly e-newsletter, send an email to info@lungchicago.org. 

RHAMC receives award from American Thoracic Society Foundation

RHAMC was recently presented with an award from the Foundation of the American Thoracic Society (ATS) - an organization that provides worldwide research and education for respiratory disease, including critical care medicine, sleep-related disorders and lung diseases. The award, presented at the ATS International Conference in May, was based on RHAMC's support of ATS's lung disease research program. RHAMC began its research partnership with ATS in January 2008 and awarded Jerry Krishnan, MD from the University of Chicago a 2-year $100,000 grant for his research on asthma treatment.

Dr. Krishnan is examining the benefits of using high-doses of inhaled corticosteroids, in addition to conventional treatment, as a potential new therapy to improve outcomes of patients hospitalized for asthma. While conventional treatment for a severe asthma attack includes using corticosteroids orally or intravenously and the use of inhaled bronchodilators, these treatments can take hours or days to provide benefits. Dr. Krishnan's work examines whether a certain combination of treatments can improve the treatment of patients hospitalized for asthma exacerbations.

Through research partnerships such as this, RHAMC seeks to fund the highest caliber of medical research that will lead to new discoveries into the causes and treatment of lung disease.

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Taking action in Humboldt Park

For the past three years, RHAMC has worked in Chicago's predominantly Latino and African American Humboldt Park community to address asthma, smoking, and a variety of lung health issues. Our work in Humboldt Park exemplifies our approach to working in communities that are culturally vibrant, yet challenged by health and socioeconomic stressors.

First, we decided to work in Humboldt Park based on the clear need for our services. Data from the Sinai Urban Health Institute's Improving Community Health survey (2004) indicated significant health disparities among the Latino (Puerto Rican) and African American residents of the west side neighborhood. The Sinai survey reported:

  • Adult smoking rates in Humboldt Park were as high as 35% which was much greater than the city average of 21%;
  • More than half the children with asthma lived in households with at least one smoker; and
  • 25% of adults in the Humboldt Park community have asthma, compared with 12% of adults nationwide.

Second, when we began work in Humboldt Park, we did so utilizing culturally and language-appropriate materials, and we formed community partnerships to increase awareness and understanding of asthma among caregivers and patients alike. We work closely with Greater Humboldt Park Community of Wellness (GHPCoW), a broad coalition of local organizations dedicated to improving their community's health, and have had the privilege of partnering with numerous other organizations as well.

Through these partnerships, and in cooperation with Chicago Public Schools, RHAMC has delivered Asthma Management (for caregivers), Fight Asthma Now (for kids with asthma) trainings, and quit smoking trainings. For more information regarding our program in Humboldt Park, please contact Maureen Damitz.

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"What You Need to Know" resource series

Respiratory Health Association's expanded "What You Need to Know" resource series offers tips for identifying and managing asthma, lung cancer and COPD and provides tips for quitting smoking. These sheets are free and can be printed easily from our website. Presently, several of the "What You Need to Know" sheets are available in Spanish, and we are expanding our bilingual offerings this summer. Our "What You Need to Know" sheets have been used by our volunteers in health clinics, at health fairs, and in a variety of community settings.

If you'd like to see us address a lung disease issue in one of our upcoming "What You Need To Know" resource sheets, please contact Stacy Ignoffo.

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