Answers from Dr. Greene

Something Every Parent Whose Child Has Asthma Should Hear

A simple flu shot for every child with asthma could prevent 100,000 hospitalizations this year in the U.S. alone, according to an analysis by the American Lung Association. Sadly, 90% of children with asthma and over 60% of adults with asthma often miss the opportunity to get the vaccine.

Todd Whitley, who oversees web operations for the American Lung Association, wrote me and asked us to help get the word out. Todd and I spoke on the same panel at the American Thoracic Society's International Conference. We were both excited about the power of the web to teach people powerful truths about their health concerns. Now, here we are teaming up to spread the word. Every parent whose child has asthma should hear about this simple measure to prevent asthma hospitalizations.

Alan Greene, MD, FAAP, is Chief of Future Health of A.D.A.M., Inc. Dr. Greene is the author of Raising Baby Green (Wiley Books, 2007), From First Kicks to First Steps (McGraw-Hill, 2004), and The Parent’s Complete Guide to Ear Infections (Avon Books, 1997). He is also a co-author of The A.D.A.M. Illustrated Family Health Guide (A.D.A.M., Inc., 2004). He is a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the Stanford University School of Medicine.

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