EPA Honors MDCH with National Environmental Leadership Award in Asthma Management
Department Honored for High-Quality Asthma Care with Environmental Controls
Contact: Angela Minicuci (517) 241-2112
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 1, 2012
LANSING - The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) has been selected to receive the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 2012 National Environmental Leadership Award in Asthma Management for its exemplary efforts to deliver high-quality asthma care that includes environmental controls.
"Being recognized nationally for MDCH's asthma efforts is a sign of excellence and confirmation of success in helping Michiganders with asthma lead healthy, active lives," said Olga Dazzo, Director of the MDCH. "Our staff works diligently to deliver essential environmental asthma management as part of their comprehensive asthma care services, and MDCH truly appreciates this award."
This award recognizes asthma management programs that are using innovative approaches to improve patient health and quality of life. MDCH is one of only four programs to receive this prestigious award this year. Award winners are recognized for demonstrating that comprehensive asthma care with a strong environmental component can dramatically improve health outcomes for people with asthma.
10 percent of Michigan adults and children currently have asthma, resulting in 15,000 hospitalizations each year. However, from 2000 to 2009 the hospitalization rates for children dropped by 28 percent. The MDCH Asthma Prevention and Control Program with its partners has worked towards this reduction through an integrated approach including promoting national guideline based care, improving asthma management in schools, assisting in the replication of an in-home case management program for those most at risk, and reducing exposure to environmental factors that make asthma worse.
"EPA is recognizing MDCH for their outstanding efforts to reduce the burden of asthma for families in their communities," said Mike Flynn, Director of EPA's Office of Radiation and Indoor Air. "This program is achieving positive environmental and health outcomes, and EPA applauds their innovation and dedication to controlling asthma."
For more information about EPA's National Environmental Leadership Award in Asthma Management, visit http://www.epa.gov/asthma.
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