Blog
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EPA Releases Version 2 of Indoor AirPlus Home Certification Program,
The US Environmental Protection Agency’s Indoor Environments Division has released Version 2 of its Indoor AirPlus home certification program. This new version includes improved features to enhance indoor air quality, such as enhanced guidelines, new verification protocols, expanded resources, and tiered certification. Click here for full information. In addition, the EPA will be hosting a…
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CHHC’s Principles on Equitable Smoke-Free Multifamily Housing
With RAMP’s leadership and support, the California Healthy Housing Coalition (CHHC) leveraged over a decade of collaboration between public health and tenants’ rights members and brought a small group of partners together to develop a set of principles that balance health protections with housing stability to aid future efforts to create equitable approaches to addressing smoke-free multifamily housing. The…
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American Lung Association Expands Research Grants
The American Lung Association Research Institute is seeking applications for its 2025 – 2026 Research Awards and Grants cycle. The Institute funds basic, translational, and clinical research to empower scientists and expand industry collaboration. Examples of awards include: For full information and to learn about all awards, click here.
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RAMP CHW Meeting: Wildfire smoke updates
On August 12th, RAMP hosted a CHW meeting on wildfire smoke updates and resources. It included: -The latest research on wildfire smoke presented by Stephanie Holm, MD, MPH, Co-Director of the Western Stated Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit. -How to select air cleaners for your clients and resources on proper use and maintenance from Anne…
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California Health Care Foundation Releases “Health Disparities by Race and Ethnicity in California — 2024 Edition”
The California Health Care Foundation has released the 2024 Edition of its “Health Disparities by Race and Ethnicity in California” report. The report highlights that people of color face barriers in accessing health care, receive suboptimal treatment, and are most likely to experience poor outcomes in the healthcare system. The report includes several asthma-related metrics.…
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EPA Updates EJScreen Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool
The US Environmental Protection Agency has updated EJScreen, an Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool, for the current year. The update includes many new features, including environmental indicators and map layers, updated demographic and environmental data, interface improvements, and more. For full information and to use EJScreen, click here. In addition, the EPA will be…
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Webinar: EPA Hosts “IEDOH Solutions for Asthma During Wildfire Events”; 8/14
The US Environmental Protection Agency’s Indoor Environments Division hosted the final webinar of its “Solving for Indoor Environmental Determinants (IEDOH) in Asthma” webinar series. “IEDOH Solutions for Asthma During Wildfire Events” took place Wednesday, August 14, at 11:00am Pacific Time. Attendees learned about risks from wildfire smoke; how to use the data, equipment, and community…
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RAMP’s TA: Helping to Build and Sustain Home-Based Asthma Services
Over the last three years, in partnership with the National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH) and with support from the US Environmental Protection Agency, RAMP has provided technical assistance (TA) to improve the capacity of states and communities to expand and sustain in-home environmental asthma interventions through policy and systems change. To share the impact…
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Webinar Recording: Asthma Home Visiting Services for Tribal Communities
Asthma inequitably affects Tribal communities. Asthma home visiting services can help Tribes reduce asthma disparities while also addressing other challenges like poor housing quality and growing climate concerns including wildfire smoke. On Monday, June 3, 2024, RAMP hosted a webinar for participants to learn about: Speakers included: Both English and Spanish versions of the webinar…
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New Map Shows Where Californians Can Find Relief During Air Quality Emergencies
The California Air Resources Board has launched an interactive, statewide map that offers a one-stop-shop for information about the location and services available at Clean Air Centers, where communities can seek refuge during times of poor air quality, including periods of intense wildfire smoke. Built in collaboration with local air quality control districts, the online…
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Efficacy of Do-It-Yourself Portable Air Cleaners
In the June 2024 edition of Atmospheric Environment, an article examines the efficacy of do-it-yourself portable air cleaners. Researchers measured particulate matter, carbon dioxide, and more in communities exposed to wildfire and wood stove smoke while using do-it-yourself and commercial portable air cleaners. They found a reduction in particulate matter for both types of air…
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American Lung Association 2024 Asthma Care Coverage Webinar Recording Now Available
The American Lung Association hosted a webinar on May 2, 2024, providing an overview of annual data on Medicaid coverage and barriers to guidelines-based asthma care. The webinar recording contains data based on the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program guidelines, and also provides information about opportunities to expand asthma care through Medicaid services in…