The Merced/Mariposa County Asthma Coalition is a grassroots, health organization formed in 1997 when area respiratory therapists and school nurses recognized an increase in the number of asthma patients they were seeing. Since then, the Coalition has grown to become one of the most active and influential asthma coalitions in the San Joaquin Valley. With over 150 culturally and generationally diverse members, the topics and issues the Coalition addresses is as varied as its members’ interests. This diversity is revealed by our many accomplishments in 2008.

The year started off with a focus on improving wintertime air in the San Joaquin Valley via the PM2.5 State Implementation Plan (SIP). The Coalition was actively involved in educating the public as well as the regional and state air boards about the importance of breathing clean wintertime air in the San Joaquin Valley for the health of our children and their families. Even with our concerted efforts, both the local and state air boards voted to extend the clean up dates for PM2.5. On the bright side, staff and members attended community meetings and submitted verbal and written comments that ultimately supported the move to a more stringent fireplace rule adopted by the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District (SJVUAPCD) on October 16, 2008.

While taking steps that would achieve cleaner outdoor air, the Coalition members were reminded that indoor air quality can be just as bad, if not worse than, outdoor air. Poor indoor air quality is compounded by cigarette smoke. With the help of Mercy Medical Center Merced and Catholic Healthcare West, the Coalition received funding to train 20 facilitators who would offer the American Lung Association’s Freedom from Smoking® courses. These courses were offered to anyone who was ready to quit smoking. Finding additional sources of funding has helped staff branch out in other Indoor Air Quality directions, such as the Green Buildings Grant.

With the expertise staff gained from the EPA’s Tools for Schools Program, implementing a Green Buildings Grant for Community Health Clinics became almost second nature. With the Green Buildings Grant funding, Golden Valley Health Centers, the Coalition’s Fiscal Agent and primary partner, was able to become a “healthier” Health Clinic as the connection was made between patient health and the environment (indoor and outdoor). Leadership at Golden Valley Health Centers supported the pilot program at the Merced site and subsequently supported spreading the program Clinic-wide to all GVHC sites in both Merced and Stanislaus Counties. In fact, GVHC was presented with the Healthy Air Living award by the SJVUAPCD for implementing an “Environmentally-Friendly Policy”, flying the Asthma-Friendly Air Quality Flags at all sites and mobile units, posting anti-idling signs around the campus as well as employee carpool signs, and finding ways that not only save money but set in motion new practices to save the planet while raising awareness among patients, staff, and neighborhood residents. GVHC also formed an employee-volunteer group called the “Green Team”. Even though funding for the program has run out, the Green Team continues to sustain itself. The Green Buildings Grant became a sustainable program through the dedication of GVHC leadership, Coalition staff, and the interest generated by GVHC employees.

News of the Green Buildings Grant seemed to spur excitement even within Merced’s City Hall. In April 2008, the City of Merced voted to approve the Asthma-Friendly Air Quality Flag Program at six city buildings which included: Police Department – Main Campus, Fire Department – Headquarters, Public Works, Senior Center, and the City Hall. A lot of energy was generated from what at first seemed to be a small act.

In May, the Coalition focused on our first World Asthma Day Celebration hosted by Merced College and their Volleyball program. In past years, the coalition participated in World Asthma Day by hosting a press conference, inviting creative thinking through the World Asthma Day Poster Contest and spreading the message, “Asthma CAN be controlled” through Public Service Announcements. In 2008, thanks to funding from the California Endowment, The Coalition published its very own “Merced County Asthma Report Card”. The Report Card became the focus as coalition members and volunteers from the greater community were on hand to provide asthma education at the “Asthma Circuit”, as well as fun activities such as Volleyball, Football and face painting for kids. Within the Circuit, best practices of asthma management were highlighted and opportunities provided for Spirometry testing allowed many to be screened for asthma for the first time. Many members of the public were surprised to learn so much about Peak Flow Meters, Asthma Action Plans, Symptoms and Triggers and our favorite – Spacers! For many attendees, traveling through the Asthma Circuit was the first time they had heard about the various aspects of asthma control. The World Asthma Day Celebration also highlighted the work and organizations Coalition partners are involved in: Sierra Club, US EPA, Moms Clean Air Network, Merced Bike Coalition, Dr. Sunit Patel’s Asthma & Sleep Center, Golden Valley Health Centers, San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, Merced Medical Supply, the Stop Wal-Mart Action Team, Roots & Shoots, and the Merced Alliance for Responsible Growth.

The Merced/Mariposa County Asthma Coalition members have actively participated in the Merced County General Plan Update influencing the County and its consultants to propose an updated General Plan that plans for a sustainable future. As residents of the San Joaquin Valley, one of the dirtiest air basins in the country, we have to consider our planning actions as it pertains to our natural resources: air, water, and land. Coalition members are educating policy makers on the connection between health and land-use. Approximately 30 members have been involved in the general plan update process so far in 2008.

2008 was also a good year legislatively. In September, the Governor signed SB 1548 (Florez) that outlined the selection process for the additional city seats added to the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District board by the 2007 bill SB 719 (Machado). SB 719 also added the much needed health perspective on the Valley air board. In 2008, the goals of SB 719 were realized when Dr. John Telles, a cardiologist from Fresno, was appointed by the Governor as the physician representative and Dr. Henry Forman, a UC Merced professor, was appointed to the board as the scientist representative. San Joaquin Valley residents were also very fortunate to have AB 2522 pass in both houses which will allow the local air district to raise the DMV fees up to $30.00 to fund projects that will clean the air sooner in the Valley.

On the regulatory front, December 12th became the momentous day that the California Air Resources Board passed the historical Diesel Truck & Bus Fleet Rule. More than 25 Asthma Coalition members submitted comments online or came to Sacramento in person to demonstrate their support for a strong rule with no exceptions for individual industries. It will now be the Coalition’s responsibility to watch how the rule is implemented and give input where appropriate in order to have a clean diesel truck fleet throughout California.

Happy New Year! May 2009 be one of CAFA’s best years yet!

Meet Coalition Staff:

Program Manager, Mary-Michal Rawling, is the Chair of the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District’s Citizen Advisory Committee, a member of the California Asthma Partners board as well as the Co-Chair of Merced County Public Health Department’s “A Community Countering Tobacco” Coalition.

Melissa Kelly-Ortega is the Program Associate for the Coalition. Melissa was recently appointed to the Merced County Association of Governments’ Community Advisory Committee and serves on the SJVUAPCD’s Environmental Justice Advisory Group.

Anna Sanchez-Garcia was hired in December 2008 as the Coalition’s Community Liaison and will be the first bilingual staff the coalition has had. Anna was instrumental in providing powerful and passionate testimony at the California Air Resources Board Diesel Truck Rule Hearing December 12, 2008. In fact, her testimony about her daughter and family members suffering from asthma was so moving she was interviewed by media all over the State.
To see her in action visit ABC news: //abclocal.go.com/kgo/storysection=news/state&id=6553654.

Click here to see previous coalition spotlights