Recorded presentation

Maura W. Dwyer, Long Beach Alliance for Children with Asthma, The Children's Clinic, 2651 Elm Ave Suite 100, Long Beach, CA 90806, 562-427-4249, mdwyer@memorialcare.org

Background: Effective asthma management and prevention requires that children encounter asthma-friendly environments where they live, learn and play. Recent research findings suggest that air pollution not only exacerbates asthma, but may also cause asthma. Community asthma coalitions such as the Long Beach Alliance for Children with Asthma (LBACA), funded under the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Allies Against Asthma initiative and The California Endowment’s Community Action to Fight Asthma (CAFA) program, have facilitated grassroots involvement in policy and advocacy efforts to fight air pollution.

Methods: LBACA utilized its network of asthma stakeholders to organize community participation in two critical air quality issues, legislation to limit truck idling at the Los Angeles/Long Beach port complex, and the proposed expansion of a local freeway. LBACA partnered with a community council and their cadre of trained health leaders to organize and educate community and coalition members on the issues.

Results: Concerned community leaders and LBACA members testified at air quality workshops, hearings and meetings and made written recommendations. The truck idling legislation passed and a 710 Community Advisory Committee was formed. The health voice, once noticeably absent from the 710 debate, is now very strong, and community members are armed with knowledge, skills and experience to participate in future policy and advocacy efforts.

Conclusion: Coalitions are utilizing key relationships and strategic approaches to enable full participation in policy efforts. Challenges, lessons learned, strategies and tools developed will be delineated in the presentation.

Learning Objectives: Participants will

• Recognize the impact of air pollution on children with asthma.
• Participants will acquire information regarding two critical air quality issues for California.<
• Identify effective strategies for involving community in policy formulation.

Keywords: Asthma,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation