New Asthma Pals Program for Kids

Asthma Society of Canada

New Asthma Pals Program for Kids

The Asthma Society of Canada (ASC) is proud to announce the Asthma Pals Mentorship Program. Developed by the University of Alberta in 2008, and following positive feedback for this program, ASC is excited to launch this support service for children with asthma across Canada.

Asthma Society of Canada - Asthma Pals Mentorship Program

The Asthma Pals Mentorship Program includes eight weekly, online social support meetings. All meetings take place over the internet, using safe and secure online meeting tools. Under the supervision of Jenna Reynolds, Director of Programs and Services, at the Asthma Society of Canada, the sessions are led by experienced peer mentors living with asthma.

The program mentors help create an inclusive and positive space for children to address any concerns, stigmas, or questions about their chronic condition. They never provide medical information. Instead, they guide the conversation, with the objective of increasing your child’s sense of belonging and confidence which can be carried through into their everyday lives.

Signing Up:
The Spring Session will run every Monday at 7PM EST from April 24 to June 19, 2017 (skipping May 22). Registration is now open with spaces being filled on a first-come first-serve basis.

Nature and Why It’s Essential For Kids’ Brains

From the Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group, CHEO Research Institute:

An information sheet on the importance of nature for kids' brains has been published on eMentalHealth.ca. HALO Project Manager Dr. Casey Gray and summer students Sheniz Eryuzlu and Laura Callender were involved in the content development of this handout. 
Despite all the advances made in modern society, many of today’s children and youth seem to struggle with physical and mental health problems.

The good news is that there is a single intervention that can help our children’s physical, mental and spiritual health all at the same time: spontaneous, unstructured outdoor play. There are many things we can do to help get our kids outside so that they can do what kids used to do — and be happier and healthier for it.
Click here to read or download the information sheet.
 

New CHILD Study video: Link between traffic pollution and allergy risk

A new CHILD Study video shows how breathing in traffic fumes during infancy can increase the risk of allergies later on.

CHILD is following 3,500 Canadian children from pre-birth to school age and beyond to help us understand the causes of allergies, asthma, and other chronic diseases. Discoveries such as this will help scientists and clinicians detect health conditions sooner, treat them more effectively, and even prevent them from developing in the first place.

For more information or to download the video, visit AllerGen's website.