The Cleveland County Asthma Coalition was founded in the spring of 2002 through a grant from the North Carolina Department of Human Services, Division of Public Health.

The goals of the Coalition are:

• Expand opportunities for parents, family members and diagnosed asthma patients to become more informed about asthma.
• Expand opportunities for Health Care Providers to enhance their understanding and management of asthma.
• Develop and implement a community asthma awareness campaign in Cleveland County.
• Establish a permanent Asthma Coalition.

The initial focus of the Cleveland County Asthma Coalition was childhood asthma. The Coalition has now expanded its focus to include activities and services to anyone diagnosed with asthma, their family members and the community at large.

Some of theses activities include:

• Publication of a resource brochure listing websites of organizations of interest to individuals diagnosed with asthma and their families.
• Establishing and maintaining an Asthma Resource Telephone Line available 24 hours a day. Technology for the line is provided by the Cleveland County Health Department; a voice mail system is used to track and record the calls. A volunteer from the Asthma Coalition responds in a timely manner to calls placed to the referral line. The telephone number for this service is: 704-484-5195
• Establishing Basic Asthma Education Classes offered at the Dover Foundation Family YMCA to individuals diagnosed with asthma, their family members, healthcare providers and interested community members. Taught by healthcare professionals - physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses and respiratory therapists - the class offers information on the physiology of the disease, treatment options, medications, triggers, emergency situations and maintenance of the disease. Activities appropriate to various age groups are included in the class as are hands-on demonstrations with peak flow meters and spacers. Classes are in English and Spanish.
• Continuing education for healthcare providers, including physicians, nurses, medical office staff, school health center personnel, teachers and custodians on the evolution of the disease and treatment options. Teachers, administrators, and custodial staff from all three school systems received special training in the American Lung Association's programs, "Tools for Schools" and "Open Airways".
• Maintenance of a nebulizer loaner program in collaboration with Medical Arts Pharmacy. Families may borrow nebulizers for a limited period of time at no charge; they are required to return them in good condition.
• Sponsorship of an annual "Asthma Expo" in collaboration with the Alliance for Health, the Cleveland County Health Department, the NC Cooperative Extension Service, Cleveland Regional Medical Center and other vendors. The 2003 event featured three speakers and offered participants a chance to review products and obtain educational information about asthma.
• Speakers Bureau available to civic organizations, PTOs, and faith communities to raise the awareness of asthma in Cleveland County.
• Maintenance of a resource library of print and video materials. Materials are available in English and Spanish and appropriate for various age groups. Materials are housed at the Cleveland County Health Department.