The San Joaquin Valley’s air quality is among the worst in the nation, along with a high rate of respiratory ailments attributable to air pollution.  In many cases, the negative impacts hit children the hardest, especially those who live in underserved rural communities.  I am pleased to let you know that federal funds have been made available to help the children who suffer from asthma in this region.

Through its Asthma Management Program, Kaweah Delta Health Care District will implement a comprehensive asthma management program in the rural communities of Exeter, Farmersville, Ivanhoe and Lindsay in Tulare County.  It will partner with the American Lung Association, Tulare County Asthma Coalition, Air Quality Work Group of the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley, Health Network for Clean Air, and local environmental justice groups to develop this project.  It will include clinical case management services; home visits to provide an environmental evaluation, education and remediation; community awareness; and policy and advocacy work.

I am pleased that the Kaweah Delta plan has a built-in mechanism to actually avoid higher medical costs with an early intervention program.  The program will include increased awareness about the onset of asthma attacks with the aim of catching them at the earliest possible stage or avoiding them completely.  This will reduce doctor visits, emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and the number of days children are unable to participate in outdoor activities or attend school.

I was pleased that Kaweah Delta Health Care District sought this funding, and I was proud to support the request.

Sincerely,

Barbara Boxer
United States Senator