One in every three children in Central Harlem has asthma. This number, reported in a recent study by Harlem Children’s Zone and the Harlem Hospital Pediatrics Department is more than double the rate for New York City as a whole and nearly four times the national prevalence. Asthmatic emergencies account for nearly 30% of pediatric admissions at Harlem Hospital annually and are the leading cause of ER visits, hospital admissions, and illness-related school absenteeism among children nationwide.
Ironically, asthma is also one of the most easily controlled chronic conditions. From this, the Asthma Swimming Program takes its mandate, teaching asthmatic children to understand and manage their condition with confidence. During four after-school sessions each week, participants engage in:
- Swim Workouts – Because the warm, humid air above a pool does not irritate the lungs like cold outdoor air, swimming is a form of exercise well-suited to the asthmatic condition. Through twice-weekly swim lessons, participants increase their lung capacity and debunk the myth that asthmatics cannot or should not exercise.
- Asthma Knowledge Activities – Volunteers lead participants in classroom activities and games that promote asthma knowledge and management techniques, and increase participants’ comfort with talking about and controlling their asthma.
- Academic Support – Recognizing that severely asthmatic children are frequently absent from school, volunteers work one-on-one with students in priority academic areas