IU Asthma and Allergy Center

What is asthma?

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that inflames the airways, narrows them and makes each breath progressively more difficult. Asthma is increasing throughout the world and we don't know why. There is no cure for asthma and we need better treatments. Asthma‘s impact is especially evident in children.

It is the #1 chronic disease of childhood . . .

• It is the leading cause of missed school days.
• One in five households have a child with asthma.
• It is more prevalent among African-American children.
• Every year approximately 5000 people die from asthma in the USA.

What is being done about asthma in Indiana?

• The IU Asthma and Allergy Center is fighting asthma by offering patients subspecialty clinical care and by conducting cutting-edge clinical research. The center has two branches: a subspecialty clinic and a clinical research center. Both of these are physically located at NIFS.

• The IU Asthma and Allergy Clinic is a multidisciplinary clinic that offers specialized programs for people with asthma. To make an appointment with one of our asthma specialists, call 317.274.8660.

• The IU Asthma Clinical Research Center (ACRC) is a unique partnership of the American Lung Association of Indiana, the Indiana University School of Medicine and the National Institute for Fitness and Sport (NIFS).

• The Indiana University School of Medicine was selected as one of 19 national sites to participate in the American Lung Association‘s Asthma Clinical Research Network. The mission of this research network is to improve asthma care through clinical research in diverse populations.

Specific goals of the IU ACRC include:

• Improve the quality of life for asthma patients and their families
• Find better and more effective treatment
• Explore effective non-pharmacologic treatment options for asthma
• Understand why asthma is increasing
• Reduce deaths from asthma

How does the IU ACRC benefit Hoosiers?

The community benefits by...

• Improved quality of life for Hoosiers with asthma
• Better control of asthma symptoms
• Less time lost at work
• Reduced absences in school
• Reduced medical costs by decreasing hospital visits for asthma
• Newer treatments being brought from the research center to the patient‘s bedside
• Opportunities to participate in clinical research trials, which have several benefits 

For more information:

• To participate in an ACRC clinical research trial.
• Visit the ALA ACRC network http://www.lungusa.org/research/acrc02.html.
• Visit the American Lung Association Web site at lungusa.org/indiana or call 1.800.LUNG USA (586.4872)
• For an appointment in the Asthma Clinic, call 317.274.8660