Children’s Medical Center to offer free asthma screenings Feb. 18

Augusta, Ga. – Careful planning is essential in controlling asthma, a condition that affects 226,000 children in Georgia and is the number one reason for pediatric hospitalization.

That’s why Kohl’s and the Georgia Health Sciences Children’s Medical Center are teaming up again to provide asthma screening and education on Saturday, Feb. 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kroc Center, 1833 Broad St. This free event – The Asthma Management Puzzle: Putting the Pieces Together – is funded by the Kohl’s Cares program.

“With asthma cases rising in both numbers and severity, we want to do everything we can to provide education for patients and families,” said Jennifer Anderson, Director of Respiratory Care Services at GHS Children’s Medical Center. “Our goal is to help patients manage their asthma and prevent adverse events,” Anderson said.

Asthma is a lifelong disease that affects the lungs, causing wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness and coughing. Although there is no cure, most people can control symptoms and prevent asthma attacks by avoiding triggers and correctly using prescribed medicine.

Asthma triggers include smoke, mold, pet dander and air pollution.

Unfortunately, the Augusta-Aiken area has been ranked among the 10 worst asthma cities in the nation for several years, according to WebMD, and a 2010 American Lung Association State of the Air report listed Augusta among the 25 worst cities for a certain type of air pollution.

“The odds seem to be stacked against children with asthma, but that’s where our specialists at the Children’s Medical Center can help,” said Anderson.

After 10 children died from asthma in the Augusta area from 2006 to 2008, public health advocates and hospitals got together to find ways to address the problem. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended more community education in this area.

In addition to this event, the Children’s Medical Center is planning two more asthma education events for 2012.

Last year, the Respiratory Therapy Department at Georgia Health Sciences Children’s Medical Center received a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Award of Excellence in Asthma Management for the hospital’s asthma leadership in the Southeast.

The Children’s Medical Center’s ongoing asthma prevention and management efforts include community summits, educational programs in schools, awareness events and screenings

For more information, call Anderson at 706-721-3225, or visit georgiahealth.org/kohlscares

About GHS Children’s Medical Center

The 154-bed Georgia Health Sciences Children’s Medical Center is the second largest children’s hospital in the state, providing the highest level of pediatric critical care and neonatal intensive care as well as a wide range of general and complex health care for children.

About Kohl’s

Based in Menomonee Falls, Wis., Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) is a family-focused, value-oriented specialty department store offering moderately priced, exclusive and national brand apparel, shoes, accessories, beauty and home products in an exciting shopping environment. With a commitment to environmental leadership, Kohl’s operates 1,127 stores in 49 states. In support of the communities it serves, Kohl’s has raised more than $ 180 million for children’s initiatives nationwide through its Kohl’s Cares® cause merchandise program, which operates under Kohl’s Cares, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kohl’s Department Stores, Inc. For a list of store locations and information, or for the added convenience of shopping online, visit .