Where We Are

Uncontrolled asthma can result in school absenteeism and missed work for a parent of a child with asthma. Asthma is the leading cause of school absenteeism nationwide. In Massachusetts more than one in three children with current asthma missed school or daycare because of their asthma at least once a year.

Massachusetts has some of the oldest school buildings in the country. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that one third of U.S. schools have buildings in need of extensive repair or replacement. Currently, there is no system for tracking the physical environment in child care settings or elementary schools. In 2006, 68% of middle and high schools principals said that their school implements a regular review of the schools physical environment to determine potential triggers for asthma.

MAAP’s goals outline policy and education activities to reduce exposures for both children and adults who learn, grow, teach and care take in school buildings and child care settings:

• 67% of schools tested by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health had visible mod or moisture problems in at least one classroom or library. They found a significant association between the presence of moisture problems and the prevalence of childhood asthma in the schools tested.
• 47% of Massachusetts school buildings were building before 1960.
• 10% of all work-related asthma cases are elementary and secondary education staff.
• 38% of students with current asthma missed school or daycare because of their asthma at least once during a twelve month period.