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The Minnesota Asthma Program |
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Indoor air quality training resources for health care professionals
This National Indoor Air Quality Awareness Month, the Lung Association urges healthcare professionals to play a vital role in protecting their patients from the health impacts of indoor air pollution (IAP).
A nationwide survey found that while healthcare professionals believe they should assess patients for indoor air pollution exposure, most are not satisfied with their knowledge of its health effects. The American Lung Association has developed tools to help healthcare professionals identify, screen and treat patients for IAP exposure:
IAQ Resource Hub – toolkits with resources to address common indoor air pollutants.
Indoor Air Quality Action Plan – plan to help patients take action towards improving the air in their home.
Invisible Risks: The Health Impacts of Indoor Air Quality, a FREE one-hour online training designed to help healthcare professionals identify, screen and treat patients at-risk for health impacts of indoor air pollution. Continuing Education credits are available for physicians, physician assistants, nurses, nurse practitioners and respiratory therapists.
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Addressing indoor air quality among patients
Staff from the American Lung Association will be sharing findings from the nationwide survey that they conducted to assess healthcare professionals' current knowledge of indoor air quality pollution and how to assess their patients' exposure.
This will be a 1.0 Continuing Respiratory Care Education (CRCE) approved webinar.
October 30 | Webinar
Time: noon to 1:00 p.m. (CT)
For more information and to register, visit Addressing Indoor Air Quality Among Patients
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Minnesota Asthma Program receives federal funding for year 2
Our Centers for Disease Control (CDC) funding through the National Asthma Control Program (NACP) for the new grant year (Sept 2025-Aug 2026) was awarded in early September. The Asthma Team is moving ahead with our Year 2 workplan and will share periodic updates via this digital communications platform with you all in the coming months. NACP staff returned to work in June for a short period of time but are currently furloughed due to the government shutdown.
The NACP program funds Minnesota and 29 other state, territorial, and municipal health departments to ensure the availability of access to guidelines-based medical management and pharmacotherapy for people with asthma. The program addresses the intersection of public health and health care by funding programs and organizations like the American Lung Association, promoting asthma quality measures, and informing policymakers abut the burden of asthma.
Learn more about our Minnesota work by visiting Minnesota Asthma Program webpages.
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Study on Inhalers and Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Their Effect on Climate
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) responded to a newly published JAMA study that finds that the propellants in metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) for the treatment of asthma and COPD contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.
October 9, 2025 AAFA Responds to Study on Inhalers and Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Their Effect on Climate Press Release
“Asthma can be serious and life-threatening without proper treatment. People should continue using their prescribed inhalers and speak with their doctor before making any changes,” states AAFA Chief Medical Officer Matthew Greenhawt, MD, MSc. “Managing asthma effectively remains the best way to protect both individual health and community well-being.”
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MDH releases updated framework to address asthma in Minnesota
Asthma is the third most common chronic disease in Minnesota, following only hypertension and high cholesterol. Unlike these two other conditions, asthma is common in children as well as in middle-aged and older adults. Asthma costs Minnesota billions of dollars in combined direct costs such as health care and medical expenses, and indirect costs such as missed work or school.
The updated "Asthma in Minnesota: A Strategic Framework 2026-2030" outlines goals and strategies that aim to reduce the impact of asthma on Minnesotans. The Framework relies on many different partners contributing to ideas, resources, and sustainable funding.
The Minnesota Asthma Program invites health care providers, schools, local public health, Tribal health, community health workers, trusted messengers, businesses, community organizations, and faith communities to read and make use of the Framework.
Download the full document here: Asthma in Minnesota: A Strategic Framework (PDF).
Stay tuned for opportunities to engage with the Asthma Program around its use!
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New cannabis aware campaign
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has launched Be Cannabis Aware, a new public health campaign focused on educating youth under age 25—and the adults who support them—about cannabis use. The campaign offers clear, science-based information without judgment, helping young people make informed choices.
As part of adult-use cannabis becoming legal in Minnesota for those 21 years and older (as of Aug. 1, 2023), the Minnesota Legislature directed MDH to focus on educating youth about the potential harms of cannabis.
The new campaign website, BeCannabisAware.org, serves as a central resource for communities, educators and families. It features downloadable materials for peer-to-peer conversations covering cannabis facts and dangers, coping strategies, navigating peer pressure as well as support resources.
Campaign materials are also available via MDH’s Cannabis Materials webpage.
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Minneapolis gas stove swap out pilot program
The City of Minneapolis Health Department Asthma Program is conducting a Gas Stove Swap Out Pilot for 2025-2026 for families enrolled in the program to address the environmental risks associated with gas stoves.
Enrollees in the asthma program already enjoy a free in-home asthma assessment conducted by a trained professional in Asthma and Housing Inspections to find common asthma triggers and educate families on ways to reduce and remove those triggers.
After the home visit, enrollees are also given durable medical equipment such as:
- Air purifiers
- Vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters
- Allergen-proof mattress and pillowcase protectors
As part of the pilot project, families enrolled in the program are now eligible to have a licensed mechanical and electrical contractor swap out their gas stove for an electric induction-type cooktop.
Benefits of electric induction cooktops:
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Healthier indoor air
Burning gas during cooking creates pollutants like nitrogen dioxide that aggravate respiratory illnesses like asthma.
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Safer and more energy efficient
They heat up very quickly when turned on and cool down just as fast when turned off.
The stove swap pilot demonstrates the positive impact energy improvements will have on resident health and highlights the opportunity for program overlap.
To qualify for and questions about this free program, contact Asthma Coordinator
Vu Tran at 612-449-0778.
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Webinar: Open Airways for Schools and Kickin' Asthma collaboration session
Oct. 20 | 11 AM – 12 PM CT
School nurses and school staff are encouraged to sign-up for this ALA sponsored webinar to learn more about the ALA's Open Airways for Schools and Kickin' Asthma asthma self-management education programs. This webinar is being hosted for anyone who wants to learn more about these programs, you don't need to be working in a school setting.
Sign-up today! Register for the event: Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams
Allergy & Asthma Network USAsthma summit
Nov. 7, 2025
Location: Orlando, Florida and via interactive livestream.
Allergy & Asthma Network invites you to participate in the 11th annual USAsthma Summit.
The USAsthma Summit provides an up-to-date look at the state of asthma in the United States. It brings together asthma coalitions, state asthma programs, federal agencies, industry partners, doctors, nurses, school nurses, asthma educators, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, community health workers, patients, caregivers and patient advocates.
Register for the USAsthma Summit
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Nothing screams fall quite like Halloween!
This season beware of asthma triggers like dust from hayrides and old costumes, chemicals and particulates released from fog machines, pollen and outdoor mold in leaf piles, and dry air with changing temperatures.
The Allergy and Asthma Network has great tips on How to Stay Safe on Halloween with Asthma and Allergies.
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Contact us
Looking for more asthma resources?
Bookmark our Asthma home page so you can find the asthma resources you need to support your daily management or the work supporting asthma patients in your community.
If you need help finding a specific resource, please send us a email. We will respond between one and two business days. Thanks!!
Please email us at health...@state.mn.us.
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