Asthma Friendly Business Award
Developed and initiated by the WVAC and the members of the Environmental Action Subcommittee 2011-2012
Mission: To recognize businesses in West Virginia who strive to improve the environment in their organization, in the community, or other locations that directly impacts the health of their employees, customers, and/or community.
Why Apply: To be publicly recognized for your business’ concern for their employees health and/or the health of their customers and/or community. The nominees and finalists will be recognized by the West Virginia Asthma Coalition specifically the Environmental Action Committee, the West Virginia Asthma Education and Prevention Program, the American Lung Association in West Virginia, and the Wellness Council of West Virginia in an award ceremony as well as on the Coalition and Asthma Program website and press releases. We want to reward your efforts and to tell of your accomplishments!
Eligibility: Any business, non-profit organization, government, or community group in West Virginia may apply. Candidates may self-nominate.
How is the application evaluated?
The applications will be evaluated by a planning committee, represented by individuals from the American Lung Association in West Virginia, the West Virginia Asthma Coalition, the West Virginia Asthma Education and Prevention Program, and other entities who are knowledgeable in the areas of air quality, environmental matters, wellness initiatives, and community affairs.
Award Categories:
Education/Outreach:
Providing a program, project, or committee developed and implemented whose purpose is to increases awareness of the importance of clean air, or health and wellness, or air pollution and their effects on the human body.
Industrial/Commercial Air Pollution Reduction:
A voluntary program or project that has made a reduction in the emissions of air pollutants from an industrial or commercial source.
Indoor Air Quality:
A program, project, or policy that improves the indoor air quality in commercial or private places in a business, public building(s), workplace(s), public lodging facilities, residential areas, or community utilized greenspaces (city park). The program or project may include a policy or practice such as a “flower pollen policy” (known asthma trigger), the construction or remodeling of a facility, or a facility employing an “asthma friendly” technology to improve air quality. Those areas that are 100% smoke-free will be given preference.
Public Health:
A program or project that has advanced knowledge of air pollution and its connection to public health which may include providing an employee wellness initiatives, smoking cessation education, disease self-management course/training, or weight management education. The program or project may vary in size, scope, and location.
Environmental Impact Reduction:
A program or project that may include resource conservation such as forestry management, or a practice or program that has a reduction in emissions of small particulate matter such as air pollution from idling vehicles; or a program or practice that reduces energy usage such as LEED certifications or Green Globes will be taken into consideration.
Examples of projects that will be considered for award are:
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Environmental policies or new procedures that have positively impacted worksite clean air either inside or outside business.
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Smoke-free campus designations including smoke-free vehicles.
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Comprehensive health care coverage to include no or low co-pays on asthma medications. Encouragement of employees with asthma to manage medications to reduce medical crisis’s.
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Worksite policies and programs that identify triggers to asthma and eliminate those triggers from the workplace. Example: cologne and/or flower policies.
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Educational programs provided by healthcare professionals, organizations and others that support identification of asthma and assist in best practices to treat asthma effectively.
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On-site screenings for Asthma within health fairs and or employee new hire medical programs.
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Family inclusive educational opportunities for families with asthmatic children.
Click here to apply for this annual award opportunity.