Impact/Purpose:

Will be used by the Indoor Environments Division in determining what, if any, changes to our program's direction and focus should be considered to help reduce exposure of people with asthma to environmental triggers of asthma.

Description:

EPA has completed the field phase and is engaged in the analysis phase of its National Survey on Environmental Management of Asthma and Children's Exposure to ETS [NSEMA/CEE]. This is a nation-wide survey on awareness of and existing attitudes toward asthma and its environmental triggers. The survey has generated data which can be used as a benchmark to measure national awareness and action related to indoor environmental management of asthma and related issues. Over 14,000 households were screened and over 2,300 asthmatics completed questionnaires. The survey is unique in collecting data on awareness, actions implemented and barriers to implementation encountered by adults with asthma and the caregivers of children with asthma. This information will help us to refine our messages to the various targeted audiences to achieve maximum impact. After receiving and analyzing the final Survey report from the contractor and after discussing the findings and implications of the findings with various interested stakeholders, ORIA will brief the SAB's Integrated Human Exposure Committee [IHEC] on the major findings of the report. At that time, ORIA will also consult with the IHEC on possible implications of the findings and ways EPA can use the new information to make course corrections on our Asthma Initiative to ensure that appropriate, effective messages are reaching the various targeted audiences. IHEC member comments will be useful for ORIA in determining what, if any changes, to our program's direction and focus should be considered to help reduce exposure of people with asthma to environmental triggers of asthma.

Record Details: