Lung Health Education

Breathe PA provides education, training, and support to individuals with lung disease and healthcare professionals. Programing is available both in-person and virtually within Breathe PA's 10-county service area: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington, and Westmoreland.

Individual Training and Group Presentations

Breathe PA provides individual and group lung disease education focusing on COPD and asthma management. Each session is tailored to the needs of the individuals being served and typically includes:

• Overview of the disease, including symptoms and medications

• Proper care and cleaning of respiratory equipment

• Instruction on management tools such as spacers and peak flow meters

• Information on Breathe PA's Patient Assistance Program, which can help with repiratory medication, supplies, and pulmonary rehab for qualifying individuals

If you are suffering from a chronic lung disease such as COPD or asthma, or if you are a doctor or an employee at a pulmonary rehab facility and would like more information about this program, please contact Kristy Steele, BS, RRT, CTTS, Lung Health Program Manager, at ksteele@breathepa.org.
 

Breathe PA’s Partnership with The Allegheny County Health Department’s TB Clinic

Breathe PA is proud to support the Allegheny County Health Department Tuberculosis Clinic by offering nutritional aid to patients on the day of clinic testing and beyond. Breathe PA also provides transportation support through bus passes and parking validation for those utilizing the clinic's services.

TB Educational Materials

Breathe PA provides TB educational materials for healthcare professionals and the public, TB skin testing rulers, and “See and Touch Arms” for TB skin test reading and interpretation. Items are available for purchase in Breathe PA's online store.

Annual TB Education Conference

Breathe PA’s annual Tuberculosis (TB) Education Conference is presented in partnership with Rutgers Global TB Institute and the Pennsylvania Department of Health. This free event is provided to healthcare professionals from across the nation to earn continuing education credits while learning from leading global TB experts as well as inspirational "We are TB" Patient Advocates.

The 2025 TB Education Conference will be held virtually in spring 2025. Please check back for more information.
 

Individual Training and Group Presentations

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a chronic condition that affects as many as 30 million Americans; however, 80 percent of the cases of moderate or severe OSA remain undiagnosed. Breathe PA provides sleep apnea and lung health education to inform individuals about the signs and symptoms of these diseases. Training typically includes a group presentation followed by one-on-one Q&A sessions.
Training topics include:

• Signs and symptoms of sleep apnea
• What to expect during a sleep test
• Treatment options for for sleep apnea
• Overview of Breathe PA's Patient Assistance Program, which can help with CPAP machines and supplies for qualifying individuals.

Training is available to senior centers, community centers, and more. For more information or to schedule a training session, contact Tracy Matanzo, RRT, BS, CTTS, Program Associate, at tmatanzo@breathepa.org. 

SLEEP Resource Groups

Breathe PA offers quarterly SLEEP resource groups geared toward those with confirmed or suspected sleep apnea, caregivers of those with sleep apnea, and professionals. SLEEP groups are held virtually and cover a variety of topics. Visit Breathe PA’s calendar of events for the next scheduled SLEEP group.