Pediatric Asthma

More than 4 million children in the U.S. under the age of 18 have asthma.

Facts about asthma:

• Asthma is a chronic lung disease that can be controlled by taking medicine and making changes to the individual's environment.
• Most children can prevent or lessen their asthma episodes by getting proper treatment and avoiding common asthma triggers.
• Animal dander, tobacco smoke, dust mites, exercise, mold, colds and infections are common triggers of asthma episodes.

Is your child at risk?

• Does your child have frequent coughing or respiratory infections?
• Do any of your family members have asthma?
• Does your child cough after running or crying?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, your child may be at risk. Talk with your doctor about your child's health history and the actions you can take to control asthma episodes in the future.

Medica supports the following recommendations of the American Lung Association to help identify and manage pediatric asthma.

• Consult your doctor to help identify and avoid triggers for your child.
• Develop an action/treatment plan with your doctor to prevent or lessen further episodes.
• Use peak flow monitoring to measure how well air is moving out of the lungs.
• Ensure that your child takes all medications as prescribed.

What Medica is doing to help children with asthma.

• Medica is constantly seeking to improve the health of children by providing appropriate, consistent and ongoing patient and family education.
• Medica doctors, clinics and other health professionals are focusing on empowering the patient and family.
• For children ages 5-18 who have been diagnosed with asthma, Medica has a disease management program called CorChoices^SM. Members who have been as being eligible for CorChoices can access more information about the program and asthma through CorSolutions. If you would like to find out if you or your child is eligible for the program, please contact us at 952-992-8460.

For more information about pediatric asthma and other resources available through Medica, click on any of the following:

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Note to Employers and Brokers:
For more information on health improvement activities and programs for the workplace, e-mail us at: hlthimp@medica.com