The third week of September is recognized as Asthma Peak Week, a period when asthma attacks, emergency room visits and hospitalizations historically reach their highest levels of the year.
The Foundation for Asthma and Allergy Impact and Rescue, or AAIR, is reminding Illinois schools about resources available to help respond to asthma emergencies.
Through its RESCUE program, participating schools receive stock albuterol, medical equipment and training for school nurses and staff. The resources are intended to provide immediate treatment when a student experiences an asthma emergency.
Illinois became the first state to fully fund such a statewide school-based asthma emergency response program in 2023.
According to AAIR, from the statewide launch through February 2026, the program helped de-escalate 5,667 asthma incidents, with 81 percent of affected students able to return to class. The organization says the program also avoided 1,156 emergency room visits and saved an estimated $9.78 million in health care costs.
An estimated 234,000 Illinois children have been diagnosed with asthma, with 42 percent experiencing an asthma attack during the previous year.
AAIR is encouraging schools to make sure staff and emergency resources are prepared as Asthma Peak Week continues. Free emergency treatment kits are available to qualifying schools through the RESCUE program. For more information about free emergency treatment kits, visit www.weareaair.org.