WATERBURY, Vt. (WCAX) - Thirty Vermont schools have been recognized for their efforts to create asthma-healthy environments, state health officials announced Tuesday.

The Vermont Department of Health says asthma rates in the state are due in part to older and poorly ventilated buildings and high rates of tobacco use. The recognition comes as part of a broader effort to address these environmental health challenges in educational settings.

Health officials released a list of schools across Vermont that are actively working to improve air quality, reduce asthma triggers, and train staff to help students manage asthma symptoms.

“We want them to be able to have the greatest amounts of support, and to keep in school, to be able to, you know, carry out activities fully, and to be able to, to

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