As students in the Gulf Coast region get ready for the new school year, the American Lung Association is advising families to be alert to lung health issues that may affect children and youth. In Tampa, nearly 40,000 children have asthma, with additional risks from poor indoor air quality, respiratory illnesses, and tobacco exposure.
“This is a critical time for families to be aware of new asthma triggers, exposure to new viruses, peer pressure to smoke or vape and other stressors that can impact kids’ health,” said Dr. John Prpich, pediatric pulmonologist and member of the Lung Association’s Gulf Coast Leadership Board. “I spend my days caring for children with lung disease—from the everyday challenges of asthma to rare and life-altering respiratory conditions. I’ve seen firsthand what lung disease steals from kids and families. That’s why I’m encouraging our community to join us for the Gulf Coast Bike Trek on October 18. We’re riding for every child who struggles to breathe.”
The American Lung Association has outlined several recommendations aimed at protecting children's lungs as they return to school this fall.
