Asthma is the most common chronic disease among children today. It is the leading cause of missed school days due to a chronic illness. At St. Louis Children’s Hospital, asthma is one of the most common reasons for emergency room visits and the number one reason for patient admissions.
The Healthy Kids Express™ – Asthma Program brings a team of asthma experts in a big bus to underserved area schools. We help school nurses and local doctors care for children with asthma. In the program, we provide education and resources for children and their families. Staff also help spread the word about asthma control and care by going to doctors' offices and events in the St. Louis area.
All services are FREE of charge and covered by generous donations to the St. Louis Children's Hospital Foundation.
Asthma Care in Schools
The Healthy Kids Express – Asthma Program teams up with select St. Louis area schools to provide:
- individual asthma care while working with the child's primary doctor
- asthma education for students, school staff and parents
- asthma supplies
- family friendly asthma events
- flu shots to enrolled students with asthma and school workers
Asthma Education for Families
Healthy Kids Express – Asthma Program offers free Asthma Control Education (A.C.E.) Classes in small group settings for children with asthma and their caregivers. The classes are held at locations around the St. Louis area. The A.C.E. classes teach:
- what causes asthma
- early asthma signs
- how to use the Asthma Action Plan
- how to take asthma medicine
For more information visit the A.C.E. page.
Health Fairs and Community Events
The Healthy Kids Express – Asthma Program increases asthma awareness and highlights asthma control by going to health fairs and events hosted by schools, churches and other St. Louis area groups during the week. At these events we offer:
- asthma information and education
- fun asthma games and activities
- Girl Scout Asthma Patches
Please fill out our Community Request Form if you would like for us to visit your community event.