National Analysis of State Health Policies on Students' Right to Self‐Carry and Self‐Administer Asthma Inhalers at School |
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| Authors: | Madeleine M. Toups MPP Valerie G. Press MD MPH Anna Volerman MD |
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| Affiliation: | 1. University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy, Chicago, IL 60637;2. University of Chicago, Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, Chicago, IL 60637 |
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| Abstract: | BACKGROUND Asthma has no known cure, and though manageable, it disrupts the everyday lives of over 6 million US children. Because children spend more than half of their waking hours in school, students must be able to carry and administer their inhaler at school to manage their asthma. METHODS This policy paper is a comprehensive review of all 50 states and the District of Columbia's laws and policies for the self‐carry and administration of quick‐relief asthma inhalers among children in prekindergarten through 12th grade. RESULTS All states permit students to carry and administer their inhalers at school, although each state differs in their development and implementation of policies for asthma self‐management at school. This review examines how states regulate self‐carry policies by looking at policy development, regulated school systems, relevant stakeholders, required medical records, and school liability. CONCLUSIONS Each state's laws have nuances that create gray areas, increasing the potential of misinterpreted or incorrectly implemented policies for asthma self‐management at school. As a result, children may not have immediate access to their inhaler for symptom management or in an emergency. State policymakers should reform current laws to remove barriers for students to carry and use inhalers at school. |
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| Keywords: | asthma medicinal inhalers school health policy school health services |
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