You otter know (about asthma)

May 17, 2016.Reading time 3 minutes.

Asthma impacts nine percent of adults, five percent of kids, and one sea otter in King County. Yes, a sea otter. Last fall, Mishka, a one-year-old sea otter at the Seattle Aquarium was diagnosed with asthma. Don’t know much about asthma? Public Health Insider teamed up with Mishka and her friends at the Seattle Aquarium to kelp you […]

EPA recognizes asthma program’s leadership

May 3, 2016.Reading time 7 minutes.

On May 3, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the King County Asthma Program as a recipient of the 2016 National Environmental Leadership Award in Asthma Management. The award honors local asthma programs for leadership in improving the lives of people with asthma, especially those in underserved communities. Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that […]

Study: Home visits by community-health workers improve asthma and quality of life

November 24, 2014.Reading time 2 minutes.

Low-income adults with uncontrolled asthma saw both their asthma control and quality of life improve with the help of an in-home, self-management asthma support program delivered by community health workers (CHWs), according to a study published online today by JAMA Internal Medicine. “The great news about this intervention is that it could be readily replicated by health […]

Tri-demic? Time to increase protections against surging respiratory viruses

November 8, 2022.Reading time 16 minutes.

We’ve been hearing talk of a potential triple threat of viruses or a “tri-demic” this winter – a rise in multiple types of respiratory viruses. We sat down with Dr. Eric Chow, who leads our Communicable Disease and Epidemiology Section, to learn more about what’s happening and what we can do to stay safer.

Be ready for smoky days: Make a 1-minute box fan filter

August 4, 2022.Reading time 7 minutes.

Woman in apron waving and holding a box fan. Text: Public Health Crafter's Corner: DIY Air Filter

A simple box fan filter can keep your indoor air cleaner on days when there’s wildfire smoke outside. It’s quick and easy to do, and much cheaper than an air purifier.

How childcare and early learning programs are taking simple steps to improve indoor air quality: A closer look at how it works

June 23, 2022.Reading time 5 minutes.

Improving indoor air quality is one of the most important and long-lasting approaches to reducing the spread of COVID-19. With the emergence of lower-cost options that can make a difference, Public Health has been working alongside child care providers to reduce the virus’ spread and to promote other health benefits by improving indoor air quality.