Asthma Education & Management Programs
Hult Center for Healthy Living’s Asthma Education & Management Programs help residents of all ages learn about asthma through outreach health education and help those living with asthma better manage and control their asthma through asthma self-management classes.
Online, Self-Paced Asthma Basics (11 years old +) is American Lung Association’s free, self-paced online learning module designed to help people learn more about asthma. The program is ideal for frontline healthcare professionals, such as school nurses or community health workers, as well as individuals with asthma, parents of children with asthma, and co-workers, friends and family who want to learn more about asthma. To access this training, please click here.
In-Person Outreach Education (11 years old +) Asthma Awareness: This program is designed to be delivered in a group setting (classrooms, youth groups). During this program students will learn what asthma is and how it is diagnosed and treated. Students will also learn what an asthma attack is and what to do if someone is having one. Finally, students will learn how to keep their lungs healthy. To schedule this education, please email us or use our form.
Asthma self-management programs can help those living with asthma live healthier lives, especially if their asthma is not well-controlled. This free, online Asthma Control Test can help you identify if your asthma is well controlled or if you need more support. Our team offers one-on-one support for youth and adults at no cost.
Child & Adolescent Asthma Management Program
Kickin’ Asthma (11- to 16-year-olds living with asthma) teaches children and adolescents how to detect the warning signs of asthma, avoid their triggers, and make decisions about their health. The program is taught by Hult Center’s trained Health Education Specialist.
Kickin’ Asthma Facilitators lead a small group of teens (5-10 people per program) through four, 45-minute sessions taught on consecutive days or one week apart.
Contact our team via email or complete this form if you are interested in learning more about the Kickin’ Asthma program.
Adult Asthma Management Program
Breathe Well, Live Well (18 years and older living with asthma) is an adult asthma self-management program that teaches adults to take control of their asthma so they can be active and healthy. The curriculum is based on national best practices for asthma care and is evidenced based. Breathe Well, Live Well is the only program available nationwide that has shown to result in less severe asthma, fewer respiratory problems, and a better ability to stick to treatment plans.
Participants will learn about asthma, building an asthma support team, taking asthma medications, using tools for self-management, and good health habits.
Breathe Well, Live Well is facilitated by Hult Center’s trained Health Education Specialists. Small groups (5-10 people per program) and one-on-one coaching is available. The course requires an initial screening followed by four, 45-minute sessions taught on consecutive days or one week apart. Each participant completes a final check-in.
Contact our team via email or complete this form if you are interested in learning more about the Breathe Well, Live Well program.
Illinois Tobacco-Free Communities (ITFC)
Illinois Tobacco-Free Communities (ITFC) is an Illinois Department of Public Health grant-funded initiative to establish tobacco prevention and control programs to prevent tobacco use among youth, eliminate exposure to second-hand smoke, and eliminate tobacco-related health disparities. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, there is no safe level of second-hand smoke exposure, including multi-unit housing where secondhand smoke can be a major concern for residents in neighboring apartments, outdoor public space, school campus property, indoor public places, and places of employment.
A Regional Approach
Hult Center for Healthy Living works in a regional collaboration with Tazewell County Health Department, Woodford County Health Department, Peoria City/County Health Department, Peoria Park District, and other partnering agencies to implement tobacco-free policy initiatives and activities in the following areas:
- Increase the number of tobacco-free multi-unit housing polices, like apartment buildings and public housing.
- Increase the number of tobacco-free outdoor spaces like parks, outdoor events, and farmer’s markets, as well as campus policies for businesses.
- Promote tobacco-free indoor/outdoor space to include restrictions on use of e-cigarettes/vaping devices at public places or places of employment where smoking combustible tobacco products is prohibited.
- Conduct specified enforcement activities for compliance of the Smoke-Free Illinois Act on behalf of the Illinois Department of Public Health.
This GIS map is a graphic view of the tobacco-free policy changes promoted by ITFC at locations in the Tri-county area.
Give us a call:
Find our how your outdoor space, event, apartment building, or indoor workplace can go totally tobacco-free, including no e-cigarettes and no vaping.
- Hult Center for Healthy Living 309-692-6650
- Tazewell County Health Department 309-929-0304
- Woodford County Health Department 309-467-3064
Illinois Tobacco-Free Communities brochure (PDF)
Illinois Tobacco-Free Communities rack card (PDF)
This program is funded by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Lung Cancer and Tobacco – Identified Community Health Priority
The Partnership for a Healthy Community, www.HealthyHOI.org, a community-driven partnership in the tri-county area to improve health and wellness, identified Lung Cancer as a priority health issue in the regional Community Health Improvement Plan. The Partnership reviewed data and noted the following:
- Smoking tobacco is the leading cause of lung cancer
- Tobacco is the single most important preventable cause of illness and death in the United States.
- More than 20,000 people in Illinois die each year as a result of cigarette smoking.
- Nationally, smoking is responsible for one of every five deaths.
- Cigarette smoking kills more Americans than AIDS, alcohol, car accidents, murders, suicides, drugs, and fires combined.
The Partnership’s Lung Cancer Action Team develops strategies and works collaboratively across the tri-county area to initiate and support programs and activities to decrease lung cancer and tobacco-related health issues and disparities. The Lung Cancer Action Team serves as coalition support to the regional Illinois Tobacco-Free Communities program.
Smoke-Free Illinois Act Information
The Smoke-Free Illinois Act, effective January 1, 2008, protects the public in Illinois from the harmful effects of exposure to tobacco and second-hand smoke by prohibiting smoking in indoor public places and places of employment, including offices, theaters, museums, libraries, schools, commercial establishments, enclosed shopping centers and retail stores, restaurants, bars, private clubs and gaming facilities. Smoking is also prohibited in public conveyances like taxis and buses. Other Smoke-Free Illinois Act guidelines include:
- Business owners shall not permit smoking within 15 feet of any entrance, exit, windows that open and ventilation intakes.
- “No smoking” signs are required to be posted at every entrance to a public place or place of employment. These signs are available to download on the Illinois Department of Public Health Website.
- Individuals can file a complaint at the Illinois Department of Public Health’s toll-free complaint line at 866-973-4646 or online.
- Link here to the full text of Smoke-Free Illinois, Public Act 095-0017.
Illinois Tobacco Quitline
The Illinois Tobacco Quitline is a free resource for tobacco users who want to quit for good. As an evidence-based program, certified counselors and staff at the Illinois Tobacco Quitline provide the support needed to break the habit. Qualified individuals have access to nicotine replacement products through the mail. Visit Illinois Tobacco Quitline or call toll-free 866-784-8937 for assistance and qualifications.
This project was made possible by funds received from the Peoria City/County Health Department and the Illinois Department of Public Health.
