On Tuesday, May 7, the Asthma Coalition of Los Angeles County – which includes St. John’s Well Child and Family Center, Strategic Actions for a Just Economy (SAJE), Esperanza Community Housing Corporation, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, and the LAC-USC Breathmobile – will mark World Asthma Day at a press conference highlighting slum housing’s effect on tenants’ health. The event will feature remarks from key healthcare advocates on the disproportionate burden of asthma on low-income communities in Los Angeles County, tenant-led tours of asthma triggers in the home, and on-site asthma screenings through St. John’s mobile medical unit.

The press conference will be held at a South Los Angeles apartment building located at 1209 W. 39^th Place. After decades of neglect on the part of the property owner, this building now has a severe infestation of roaches and rats as well as problems with mold and humidity, which all contribute to chronic respiratory problems and allergies.

WHAT:           World Asthma Day 2013

                     Press conference, tenant-led tours of asthma triggers in the home, asthma screenings

WHO:            Jim Mangia, President & CEO, St. John’s Well Child and Family Center

                     Dr. Marilyn Li, Director, LAC-USC Breathmobiles & Allergy Clinics

Gabriela Gonzales, Community Health Promoter, Esperanza Community Housing Corporation

                     Tenants of 1209 W. 39^th Place

WHEN:          Tuesday, May 7, 2013 10:00-11:00AM

WHERE:        1209 W. 39^th Place

                     Los Angeles, CA 90037