Resources

Libby Amphibole Asbestos Health Screening: CARD provides comprehensive asbestos health screening that is important for all people with a history of high exposure to asbestos. This is important for cancer surveillance, and a diagnosis of asbestos related diseases can be made through this process if applicable.

Specialty Libby Amphibole Pulmonary Healthcare: Screening, diagnosis, disease management and treatment services are available at the CARD Clinic in Libby, Montana. This specialty care is valuable for the 3,500 patients followed by CARD and the many new patients that continue to present daily at CARD for screening, assessment, and information regarding their exposure risk and health effects.

Respiratory Therapy: CARD performs pulmonary function tests, 6 minute walk tests, assesses sleep apnea and specializes in educating patients on pulmonary medications and disease management. CARD assists patients with adjusting to activity tolerance and accesses the need for oxygen therapies to maximize quality of life.

Long Distance Screening and Healthcare Coordination: Many people who have moved away from the Libby community were impacted by the asbestos exposure that occurred for nearly 70 years until the mine closure in 1990. While many of these people travel back to Libby for specialty care, from Alaska to Florida, there are many others who are unable to return to Libby for specialty care related to the Libby amphibole asbestos. Thus there are a variety of ways to coordinate long distance services which can include screening, consultation, and coordination of care. This may involve pulmonary function tests, x-rays, and CT scans completed in their local communities. CARD is committed to all individuals living with Libby amphibole asbestos exposure and disease. People interested in these activities may contact our Long Distance Screening Coordinator directly at [email protected] or call 406-293-9274 CARD.

Asbestos Consultation Services: Assessment and consultation services are available for patients who reside in Libby and across the nation. Dr. Black and our other providers often coordinate assessment and consultation with primary care or pulmonary specialist staff around the country who may be providing the front line care for patients impacted by asbestos related disease. This is very important because the presentation of Libby Amphibole Asbestos related diseases tends to be different than those historically associated with commercial chrysotile asbestos. Libby Amphibole Asbestos is often described as a “new presentation of an old disease.”

Educational Services: CARD makes education a priority by providing patients with information, resources, and skills to effectively manage their disease as much as possible to maintain health, improve quality of life, and facilitate adjustment for all patients and their families. You can contact CARD so we can connect you with the appropriate staff to customize your educational program to meet your individual needs.

Case management Services: CARD utilizes a multi-disciplinary team (nurses, case manager, respiratory therapists) to coordinate care services as needed for people living in the Libby community as well as those across the nation. Case management is a program that works with individuals and families by providing problem solving assistance with coordination of care, connection to available resources, and emotional support.

Psychological and Social Services: Asbestos exposure and disease can not only lead to a variety of physical health problems but it can also result in many life altering implications. Living with asbestos exposure and disease can impact many components of our lives including the emotional, social, financial, daily living, and recreational components. Thus CARD provides support, counseling, and problem solving assistance to support individuals and families addressing these complex issues.

Outreach Services: Outreach involves helping individuals, families, and communities learn to understand the many different impacts of asbestos exposure and disease. CARD provides a variety of outreach services to facilitate the understanding of: ARD disease processes, skill development related to self-care, and information about advance in science and research opportunities. CARD distributes a bi-annual newsletter, utilizes local newspapers and radio stations, offers community presentations, and hoists special educational events. On a national level, CARD is a member of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) and the Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC). CARD staff members have presented at various conferences around the country and remain available to address the medical, psychological, and social aspects, as well as the latest research related to Libby Amphibole Asbestos exposure and disease. If interested in having CARD present for your organization, call Tracy McNew at (406) 293-9274 Ext 126.

Research Activities: CARD research is both a community and a nationwide project. Research does not occur without the involvement of community members and all screeners are given the chance to participate in CARD research. CARD facilitates many research activities related to Libby Amphibole Asbestos that could lead to better understanding of the disease process and improved health outcomes. CARD carefully considers the merit of all proposed research activities before seeking approval for the project from CARD’s volunteer community-based Board of Directors and CARD’s scientific advisory group. National research partners have included Idaho State, Montana State, Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, New York University, State University of New York in Buffalo, University of Cincinnati, and the University of Montana. CARD is always open to potential research projects with other agencies.