Volume 158, No. 63 covering the 2nd Session of the 112th Congress (2011 - 2012) was published by the Congressional Record.
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“RECOGNIZING ASTHMA AWARENESS MONTH MAY 1, 2012” mentioning the Environmental Protection Agency was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E703 on May 7, 2012.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
RECOGNIZING ASTHMA AWARENESS MONTH MAY 1, 2012
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HON. LAURA RICHARDSON
of california
in the house of representatives
Monday, May 7, 2012
Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize May as Asthma Awareness Month. Nearly 26 million Americans, including more than 7 million children are affected by asthma. I am encouraging Americans to fight against asthma by learning more about the disease and how it affects families and their communities.
As part of Asthma Awareness Month, there are many public and private organizations working hand and hand to honor those who are taking on the challenge of fighting this chronic respiratory disease. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, is honoring exceptional health plans, health care providers and communities in action for their efforts to improve the lives of people with asthma in underserved communities across the country.
There are many triggers during the spring season making it particularly difficult for asthma patients. The annual economic cost of asthma, including direct medical costs from hospital stays and indirect costs such as lost school and work days, amount to approximately $56 billion. The EPA is working hard to clean the air we breathe and reduce the environmental causes of asthma and other respiratory illnesses. We can ease this financial burden on Americans by supporting the EPA and legislation such as the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, DERA.
Maintaining an active lifestyle is important in staying healthy and if symptoms are properly managed Americans who suffer from asthma can stay active. Here are some simple steps: learn your triggers and avoid them in your home and neighborhood. With a doctor's help, you can create an asthma action plan to help you effectively manage your asthma and reduce exposure to triggers. Taking the appropriate medications and avoiding your triggers. Check local air quality conditions at airnow.gov and make informed decisions about participating in outdoor activities. In addition a downloadable Air Quality Index mobile app is available for smart phones.
Mr. Speaker, this month, it is important to support the nearly 26 million Americans who suffer from asthma. I am encouraging Americans to educate themselves on the chronic respiratory disease, asthma.
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