KQED Documentary, “Children and Asthma” Airing Across California this November

“Children and Asthma,” the latest installment of KQED’s award-winning documentary series Bay Window, examines the reasons for the dramatic increase nationwide of childhood asthma rates over the last 20 years. This one-hour documentary, which will also be broadcast in Spanish on the Second Audio Program, looks at the cause and effects of asthma, while concentrating on education as the most important aspect of controlling the environmental triggers.

Premiering Friday, November 1 at 9 p.m. on KQED Public Television 9 and airing on public television stations around the state (check local listings), Bay Window “Children and Asthma” includes personal stories from children and their families living in the Bay View/Hunters Point neighborhood of San Francisco, Harlem and The Bronx in New York City and in central Iowa farm country. Viewers also hear from leading physicians and scientists in asthma studies and educators who are working with children and families to lessen the effects of asthma in their homes. “Children and Asthma” presents evidence that controlling environmental causes and educating families about asthma can help save children’s lives.

RAMP is excited about this documentary, as it provides an opportunity to increase awareness about asthma across the state of California. The documentary raises awareness about the importance of environmental controls, which are essential for effective asthma management. After examining the film, however, the RAMP Advisory Committee wanted to highlight some important information about the clinical management of asthma that was not fully explained in the film.

First, we wanted to draw attention to the importance of inhaled steroids in asthma management. A scene in the film shows a mother who is concerned about her daughter using steroids. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's (NHLBI) Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma, inhaled steroids are "the most effective long-term-control medication for asthma." They state that the daily use of inhaled steroids results in the following:

* Asthma symptoms will diminish. Improvement will continue

gradually.

* Occurrence of severe exacerbations is greatly reduced.

* Use of quick-relief medication decreases.

* Lung function improves significantly.

Moreover, they state that "The potential but small risk of adverse effects on linear growth from the use of inhaled steroids is well balanced by their efficacy. Poor asthma control itself can result in retarded linear growth."

Despite the proven effectiveness of inhaled steroids in managing asthma, providers often face great difficulty convincing their patients to use this potentially life-saving medication. This is due to both unfounded fears that steroids stunt growth or increase muscle mass and incomplete knowledge about the benefits of steroids. This is a major barrier in the effective management of asthma and we feel that the benefits of inhaled steroids should be repetitively and firmly communicated.

Second, we would like to draw attention to the importance of using spacers. In the film, there is a scene with a small child using an inhaler without a spacer. The teacher tells him he did a great job. Spacers are highly recommended in the NHLBI Guidelines. They hold the aerosol medication so the patient can inhale it easily and they reduce any potential side effects of inhaled steroids.

We hope that asthma educators and asthma coalition members will use this documentary as an educational opportunity. When showing it to community members, we hope that you will take the opportunity to share the additional information about the clinical management of asthma described above. This information, combined with the information on environmental management that is thoroughly described in the film, will help provide a thorough understanding of asthma.