According
to the Disability Statistics Center, "of the US population
under 18 years of age, 6.1 percent have disabilities" and
"the most common disabling condition is asthma, which affects
987,000 children." Here are some useful resources for children
and adults with asthma or other allergies.
A nonprofit
organization that offers support for families. the Network's
web site includes basic information about asthma, frequently
asked questions, research highlights, clinical trials, and membership
opportunities.
The web
site of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology,
a professional association of medical specialists who treat allergies
and asthma, this site offers information for patients (including
several fact sheets in English and Spanish), physicians, employers
and the news media, as well as an "allergist locator."
In addition
to information for health care practitioners, this professional
association offers online resources for adults, including a physician
referral directory, fact sheets, educational materials, news,
and information for kids.
Geared for
the public, the Association's web site offers a wide variety
of informational materials about asthma, lung diseases, and environmental
issues.
A project
of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, the World
Health Organization, and the National Institutes on Health,
this site includes GINA guidelines for asthma management for
professionals and patients.
These peer-reviewed
resources from the Journal of the American Medical Association
include news stories, current literature, treatment information,
clinical guidelines and resources, resources for patients and
professionals, and top Internet sites.
Part of
the National Institutes of Health, NIAD's web site includes research
news, information about allergy and a wide variety of infectious
diseases, clinical trials, grant information, links, and related
topics.