Our guests are from The Breathing Association. Alicia Hopkins, who is a nurse practitioner and director of the Lung Health Services. And Collette Harrell, who is the director of the HEAP and Social Services Programs for The Breathing Association.
The Breathing Association has a rich history here in Central Ohio
The Breathing Association began in 1906 with the onset of Tuberculosis. The Breathing Association is continuing to fill a void in our community, long after the control of TB. The association wants to ensure we can all breathe easier.
The Breathing Association strives to educate the public on the issues affecting our community. These items include smoking, air quality, energy needs, diseases like COPD, asthma, and other breathing disorders. The agency is rich in educational resources and services. Alisha gives us more details about the “Lung Health Services” she manages.
Home Energy Assistance Program
HEAP is a federally funded program that provides eligible Ohioans assistance with their home energy bills. Colette directs HEAP and other social services. She gives us an overview of HEAP, other programs, and how residents can utilize the services.
The agency is very active in educating the public and potential clients. But also in educating decision-makers, government officials, and others regarding air quality and environmental factors. Alicia talks about what is being addressed right now at the state government level. And how the association works with our representatives.
One other issue that has been prevalent in our community for decades is smoking. Ohio has continued to rate at unhealthy levels compared to the rest of the country.
We do not seem to be able to “stop cold turkey”! The Breathing Association can help with their Quit For Good cessation program and tips on how to quit.
Our episode reference sheet has more contacts and information for your use.
FAQ: The Breathing Association Services and Programs
The Breathing Association’s mission is to help people breathe easier, one person at a time, through education, detection, care, and treatment, addressing both medical and home environment factors such as heating, cooling, and air quality (06:24, 07:03).
The Breathing Association provides lung health services, smoking cessation programs, utility assistance through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), crisis heating and cooling support, and operates a free clinic and mobile health van for the community (08:42, 10:45, 32:45).
Utility assistance is available to low-income households at 175% or below the federal poverty level, with programs specifically for seniors, veterans, individuals on fixed incomes, and families facing utility shutoff or heating/cooling crises (10:45, 11:02, 13:07).
Yes, the Breathing Association’s clinic is 100% free, with no copays required, and can assist those without health insurance by providing medications, inhalers, and other medical equipment. They also offer a mobile clinic for increased accessibility (32:51, 33:03).
The Breathing Association provides individualized smoking cessation plans, phone consultations, referrals to resources like the Ohio Quit Line, and also helps health professionals get certified to teach tobacco treatment. Assistance is available even if you cannot come in person (28:03, 28:12).
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Recorded in Studio C at 511 Studios. A production of Circle270Media Podcast Consultants.
