On Wednesday, September 6, Mayor Sarno announced Springfield's "Strong, Healthy and Just: Climate Action and Resilience Plan. The plan reflects the participation of hundreds of residents and community organizations including the Pioneer Valley Asthma Coalition. The city aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050, and the mayor urged residents to take advantage of free home energy audits and financial aid to make their homes more energy efficient.

Interested in a free energy audit? Visit Ener-G-Save for more information. If you receive fuel assistance, please contact Springfield Partners for Community Action.

The Department of Public Health will hold a public hearing on proposed amendments to State Sanitary Code regulating Housing on October 4, 2017 in Northampton, MA. The updates include changes that will help people with asthma by addressing asthma triggers including mold and pests. Specific changes include the requirement of mechanical ventilation in bathrooms and integrated pest management for buildings with 4 or more units.

Look for a sign-on letter and talking points from state wide healthy homes and asthma advocates to be sent in the next week.

DPH Hearing on Sanitary Code Revisions related to Housing:

Wednesday, October 4, 1:00 p.m.

DPH Western Regional Health Office

23 Service Center Road

Northampton, MA

On Tuesday, September 26th at 3:30 PM (EDT), the EPA will host a briefing for environmental justice stakeholders regarding the agency's decision to transfer the Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ) from the Office of Enforcement Compliance Assurance (OECA) to the Office of Policy (OP). The general public is encouraged to join the stakeholder briefing where they will have the opportunity to hear from senior officials about this administrative change.

A large number of participants are expected to be on this call. Please dial in by 3:25 PM (EDT) to ensure your participation.

Briefing details:

·   When: Tuesday, September 26

·   Time: 330 PM (EDT)

·   Participant Dial-in Number: 844-567-8594

Speakers

·   Introduction - Matthew Tejada, Director (Office of Environmental Justice)

·   Briefing - Samantha Dravis, Associate Administrator (Office of Policy)

·   Q&A from Stakeholders

2017 Annual Influenza Conference

The Annual Influenza Update will be held Wednesday, September 13th, 2017 at the Woodwinds in Branford, CT. This annual one-day conference covers the latest in influenza, pneumococcal, pertussis and other adult vaccination news. Aimed at health professionals, health educators and mass immunizers, the conference focuses on the findings from the previous flu season and what new issues, products and pricing we can expect to see in the upcoming season. See the full agenda or register online at the American Lung Association's website. The standard registration fee is $50.

USAsthma Summit 2017

The Allergy & Asthma Network and the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) will hold the 2017 USAsthma Summit on Friday, October 27th, 2017 at the Boston Marriott Copley Place Hotel. Discussion will be held on current trends in asthma care, asthma disparities, in-home interventions, effective advocacy efforts, reimbursement and sustainability, collaboration opportunities and strategies to advance the implementation of Guidelines-based asthma care throughout the United States. Registration is free.

  

Is your child ready to self-carry their medication?

Access to quick-relief medication is critical when living with asthma. Use our Student Readiness Assessment Tool to see if your student is ready to keep their asthma medication with them throughout the school day. If not, the tool will help you create a plan to build the knowledge and skills to prepare your child for that responsibility one day.