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Academy News: July 2006
Lay Organizations
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Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
1233 20th St. NW, Suite 402
Washington, DC 20036
Phone (202) 466-7643
Fax (202) 466-8940
www.aafa.org |
 AAFA’s “Meeting in a Box” asthma education series has been updated and is also now available on CD-ROM. These easy-to-use presentations, such as ABC’s of Asthma, Tools of Asthma Management and Asthma Management at School, include all the materials a healthcare professional needs for a one-hour educational presentation to patients, teachers, parents or others about asthma.
For more information, visit www.aafa.org
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Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network
11781 Lee Jackson Highway, Suite 160
Fairfax, VA 22030
Phone (800) 929-4040
Fax (703) 691-2713
www.foodallergy.org |
 One of FAAN’s primary educational targets this year is teens. To that end, we have launched a redesigned teen Web site, Food Allergies in the Real World, www.faanteen.org. The interactive site features a monthly poll, rotating “Talk Back” and “Watch Out!” tips, a photo gallery, a calculator that determines how many teens in a school may have a food allergy (based on national statistics), and personal stories from other teens with food allergies.
Early feedback from teens has been tremendously positive. Patients may also want to know about the “Chef Card” template, a card that can be downloaded and customized to inform restaurant staff about food allergies. FAAN’s Food Allergy Action Plan for teens and college students may also be of interest. These materials can be downloaded from the Web site, www.foodallergy.org.
 The American Latex Allergy Association continues to support the efforts of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) in obtaining labeling for medication vial stoppers and pre-filled syringes that may contain latex. In 2005, ASHP’s House of Delegates approved the move to “urge the Food and Drug Administration to mandate that manufacturers of medications and medication-device combination products include labeling information on whether any component of the product, including its packaging, contains natural rubber latex.”
As of May 2006, the FDA has not acted on this issue. ASHP recently sent a follow up letter, and the American Latex Allergy Association also plans to submit a letter of support. Anyone interested in joining this effort may contact A.L.E.R.T., Inc at: P.O. Box 198, Slinger, WI 53086, (888) 972-5378 or e-mail alert@latexallergyresources.org.
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Immune Deficiency Foundation
40 West Chesapeake Avenue
Suite 308
Towson, MD 21204
Phone (800) 296-4433
www.primaryimmune.org |
 As part of IDF Capitol Hill Day 2006, over 60 IDF volunteers met with members of Congress on April 6 to share their personal stories and experiences with primary immune deficiency diseases, and alert their legislators that the current Medicare reimbursement rates for intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) is not sufficient. The cost for IVIG exceeds the current reimbursement payment from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This is preventing healthcare providers from purchasing and administering IVIG. The IDF’s effort to develop a federal program to screen all newborn babies for severe combined immune deficiency (SCID) was also promoted. A total of 144 meetings took place and 110 members of Congress were reached.
To become involved in this effort, contact IDF at (800) 296-4433.
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Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics
2751 Prosperity Ave., Suite 150
Fairfax, VA 22031
Phone 800-878-4403
Fax (703) 573-7794
www.aanma.org
E-mail aanma@aol.com |
 Educating Congress about illegal pharmacy manufacturing of nebulizer medications is an ongoing effort. AANMA has met with more than 70 congressional representatives. Now Congress wants to hear from you, the specialists who understand the serious health risks and physician liability issues related to illegally manufactured nebulizer medications.
We make it easy to write to your congressional members with AANMA’s Advocacy Center, www.breatherville.org/cityhall. Send your letter, and we’ll send you AANMA’s new poster depicting approved and unappoved nebulizer medications.
If you have questions or wish to report cases, contact Kirstin Dawson via e-mail at kdawson@aanma.org or call (800) 878-4403 x115, or Sandra Fusco-Walker at sfwalker@aanma.org or call (800) 729-3804.
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The American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders
3419 Whispering Way Drive
Richmond, TX 77469
Phone (713) 498-8216
Fax (281) 238-9436
www.apfed.org
E-mail mail@apfed.org |
 Eos Connection 2006, a patient education conference on eosinophil-associated GI disorders, hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) and Churg Strauss will be held August 4-6, in Cherry Hill, NJ. A CME seminar for physicians, “Eosinophils in GI Health and Disease,” will be hosted by APFED and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia on August 4.
APFED will fund support for the First International Gastrointestinal Eosinophil Research Symposium to be held October 17-18 in Orlando, FL. The symposium will host an outstanding group of basic and clinical scientists from around the world who focus their work on the role of eosinophils in GI diseases. Chaired by Glenn T. Furuta, MD, and Chris A. Liacouras, MD, the event will focus on developing diagnostic guidelines and organizing a research agenda for collaborative studies.
For more information, visit www.apfed.org.
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