The West Virginia Asthma Coalition (WVAC) is a group of over 80 organizations and individuals working together to reduce the burden of asthma-related illnesses in the state through a comprehensive public health approach. WVAC Membership is FREE (see form below) and Open to the Public to attend all meetings and conference calls. The WVAC encourages community support and membership from parents, families members, and from individuals with asthma in West Virginia.
The West Virginia Asthma Coalition (WVAC) was formed by the West Virginia Asthma Education and Prevention Program (AEPP) and is currently facilitated by a partnership between AEPP and the American Lung Association of West Virginia (ALAWV). AEPP is solely funded by a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which inturns provides funding for WVAC meetings and activities.
WVAC is comprised of five (5) subcommittees: Clinical Asthma Management, Community Outreach and Education, Data Sharing, Environmental Action, and Schools and Pediatrics. WVAC is governed by an Executive Committee which includes elected subcommittee chairs and the WVAC President, Vice President, the AEPP Program Manager, and the ALA-WV Asthma Coalition Manager. The WVAC President, Vice President and subcommittee chairs are elected annually in September by a majority vote. (See By-Laws below for more details)
The WVAC subcommittees focus on implementing projects that will help achieve the goals addressed in The Strategic Plan for Addressing Asthma in West Virginia.
Goals of the WVAC
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Help everyone understand the seriousness of asthma.
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Promote and ensure the appropriate diagnosis and management of asthma by health care professionals.
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Encourage patients with asthma--regardless of income, color, gender, creed, language or disability-- to enter into a continuum of care by facilitating access to care.
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Provide the latest information on asthma health, medication and medical treatment.
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Improve the quality of life for the patients with asthma.
Recent accomplishments of the WVAC include:
- The Asthma Friendly School Awards to recognize and award schools in West Virginia who achieve this standard. The FIRST school to be recognized was Meadow Bridge Elementary in May 2009!
- Finalization of the NEW Strategic Plan for Addressing Asthma in West Virginia 2010-2014 was completed in May 2009 and was made available for distribution in August 2009 during the Annual Asthma Retreat. Please view it on this website on the "Home" page.
- Development and distribution of takeACTION!: Addressing Asthma and Diabetes in WV Schools, an interactive CD-ROM and online program, targeted to teach school personnel how to assist students with these two chronic diseases. Continuing Education Units are available through this program.
- Successful policy efforts that helped to pass the Inhaler Law, which allows students to carry and self-administer their inhalers at school, and the Anti-Idling Policy aimed at reducing harmful pollutants on school property from school buses and from passenger vehicles which can trigger an asthma attack;
- Implementation of statewide school-based asthma interventions; and
- Continued implementation and evaluation of the goals of the Strategic Plan for Addressing Asthma in West Virginia 2010-2014.
For more information concerning the WVAC or becoming a member click on the following below.
Membership Form - Save the form to your computer, complete in full, and return to the WVAC Manager, Meg Moore, via email at mmoore@lunginfo.org or by fax to (304)342.6096.
Mission and Vision of the WVAC
Bylaws of the WVAC
Subcommittees of the WVAC defined
Note: You will need Adobe Reader (PDF) to view these documents.