Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America St Louis Chapter

First accomplishmentthe breath (bridging resources to encourage Asthma treatment and health) program served a total of 59 children in 8 counties in the St. Louis region in 2023. 37 of these children received full pay prescription assistance for Asthma and Allergy medication while they were applying to medicare or another long-term insurance source. 22 children received year round co-pay assistance to pay for Asthma and Allergy medicine. 304 prescriptions were filled in the year on this program. Both full pay and co-pay assistance program include regular telephonic Asthma coaching to ensure children are staying adherent to the medication regime prescribed by their doctors. 93% of kids on the program increased their score on the national Asthma control test while on the program. 100% of children who were previously frequent hospital patients reported one or fewer emergency room visits in their first three weeks on the program. Upon diagnosis through our "diagnosis kits" over 3,000 children were given backpacks full of medical and educational resources. Referred to as "new diagnosis kits" these are an attempt to expedite control. 29 children were provided a bed or pillow encasing to reduce Asthma and Allergy symptoms at home.the rescue (resources for every school confronting unexpected emergencies) program provided 163,488 pieces of Asthma emergency equipment to 5,538 schools in and throughout both Missouri and Illinois and trained school nurses on how to use them. Through this partnership, 74% of the children who were treated with this equipment while at school were able to return to class instead of being sent home or to the emergency room, resulting in increased learning for children, savings for parents, and increased state reimbursements (ada) for schools. Aafa-stl also provides education for schools, school nurses and general public through various virtual and in-person events, most prominently with our trainings for the rescue program. Approximately 1,375 school nurses and other staff members took part in rescue training in 2023.