Taking your asthma medicine regularly is an important part of controlling your asthma. But do you know how you take your medicine is just as important?

Why Is Correct Asthma Inhaler Use Important?

Incorrect inhaler use can stop your asthma medicines from getting to your lungs.

Inhaler mistakes are more common than you might think. Up to 92% of people with asthma use their devices incorrectly.¹

If your medicine isn’t reaching your lungs, your asthma might be harder to control.

Using your inhaler incorrectly may lead to:^2,3

• More asthma episodes
• More emergency room visits
  
  

Small changes in how you take your asthma medicines may help you breathe better and have better quality of life.

Even if you’ve been using an inhaler for many years, it’s always a good idea to review how you use your inhaler from time to time. This can help you avoid small mistakes. This is especially important when you start taking a new type or brand of inhaler.

What Types of Asthma Devices Are Available?

In order to learn how to take your medicine the right way, it helps to learn about the different types of asthma devices.

Most asthma medicines are inhaled so they can get directly to the lungs. The medicines are put into a device that helps you breathe it in. This may be a handheld inhaler or a machine. These are the types of inhalers that deliver asthma medicine:

• Metered dose inhaler (MDI) – An MDI has a canister that contains the medicine and a propellant to help make the medicine airborne (or aerosol). The canister inserts into a plastic holder with a mouthpiece. You press the canister down to release a puff of medicine into the mouthpiece. You have to time your breath to breathe in the medicine as you press the canister down. These inhalers are sometimes called press-and-breathe inhalers. Before using one, you need to shake this type inhaler. This type of inhaler needs to be primed before using it for the first time or if it hasn’t been used in two weeks. Priming means you spray the medicine into the air away from your face so you can test the spray. MDIs (or press-and-breathe inhalers) deliver the medicine best when used with a spacer or valved holding chamber. A spacer or chamber holds the medicine in the chamber to give you a little bit more time to breathe it in.
  
  
• Breath actuated inhaler – This type of inhaler is not a press-and-breathe inhaler. When you take a fast, deep breath in, it pulls the medicine out of the device and into your lungs.
  
  
• Dry powder inhaler (DPI) – A DPI delivers medicine as a dry powder. It is a type of breath actuated inhaler. It delivers the medicine when you inhale.
  
  
• Soft mist inhaler – A soft mist inhaler delivers medicine in a mist form. You have to prepare a new soft mist inhaler by inserting a cartridge and priming it before you use it.
  
  

How Do You Prime an Asthma Inhaler?

When you open the package of a new inhaler, you may have to prime it. This will depend on the type of inhaler you have. MDIs and soft mist inhalers need to be primed before first use. Check your medicine’s instructions for more information about your device.

Breath actuated inhalers (like a RediHaler™) and DPIs (like an ADVAIR DISKUS) do not need to be primed.

Priming inhalers (MDIs and SMIs) is important because it:

• Mixes the propellant and medicine
• Tests the inhaler for clogs
• Tests that the medicine is inserted into the device correctly
  
  

If an inhaler needs to be primed before first use, the counter will include the extra puffs needed for first priming.

For example, an inhaler with 200 doses will have a counter that says 204. This means the inhaler can be primed four times before the first use as recommended.

Priming an MDI

Most MDIs need to be primed when you first open them. They also need to be primed if you haven’t used the inhaler for two weeks or more.

Priming the inhaler mixes the propellant and medicine. It is important to prime your inhaler to make sure you get the right amount of medicine in your lungs with each puff.

To prime your inhaler:

1. Remove the cap and shake it well for at least 5 seconds (about 10 hard shakes).
2. Spray it into the air and away from your face and other people.
3. Repeat as many times as needed according to the directions on the medicine.

Priming a Soft Mist Inhaler

Soft mist inhalers need to be primed only before the first use and they do not need to be shaken.

The soft mist inhaler comes in two pieces: the cartridge that holds the medicine and the inhaler that delivers the medicine. You must put the cartridge into the inhaler before you can use it.

1. With the cap closed, press the gray safety catch and pull the clear base of the inhaler.
2. Take the narrow end of the cartridge and push it into the inhaler as far as it will go.
3. Push the cartridge down firmly on a hard surface to make sure the cartridge has gone in all the way. (You will still see a small amount of the cartridge even after you push it in all the way.)
4. Put the clear base back into place.
   
   

Do not remove the cartridge or clear base once you have put the inhaler together.

To prime your soft mist inhaler:

1. Hold the inhaler upright with the cap closed.
2. Turn the clear base in the direction of the arrows until you hear a click.
3. Flip the cap open.
4. Point the inhaler down away from your face. Press the release button.
5. Close the cap.
6. Repeat steps 1 through 5 three more times.
   
   

How Do You Use Your Asthma Inhaler?

Once your inhaler is primed, it’s time to check your position. Your posture and position are an important part of making sure your asthma medicines get to your lungs.

Remember these steps to make sure you are in the best position possible when taking your asthma medicine:

• Stand or sit upright, if possible. This is the best position to open up your lungs.
• Face forward with your head upright, not tilted.
• Make sure the inhaler is upright and not tilted. Point the mouthpiece toward the back of your throat.
• If you have a DPI, don’t point it down during or after loading a dose.
• Seal your lips and teeth around the mouthpiece of the inhaler or spacer/chamber with your tongue down.
• Don’t block air vents. Use fingers, not a fist, to hold the inhaler.
  
  

How you inhale when using your asthma devices is important too. Remember these steps as you inhale the medicine:

• Blow air out of your lungs before each dose. This will help you take a deeper breath in when you inhale your medicine.
• Pace yourself as you inhale the asthma medicine. Try not to breathe in too fast or two slow for your device.
• If you have a breath actuated inhaler, make sure you are breathing in with enough force to pull the medicine out of the inhaler.
• Breathe in through your mouth, not your nose.
• Hold your breath for 10 seconds (or as long as you can) once the medicine is in your airways.
• If you cough in the middle of taking your inhaler, you may need to redo your puff.
• Wait 1 minute between doses to help the medicine settle in your lungs. Remember to shake your press-and-breathe MDI inhaler in between doses (not all inhalers need shaking!).
  
  

This video shows you how to use an MDI and ways you can improve your overall inhaler technique so you can make sure your asthma medicine is getting to your lungs where it needs to be.

Watch on YouTube

If you aren’t sure what kind of device you have or how to use it, ask your doctor or nurse to show you how to use it. Also, ask for instructions if you get a new type or brand of inhaler.

It’s also a good idea to review how you use your inhaler with your health care team during regular check-ups. They can help you spot ways to improve so you get as much medicine in your lungs as possible.

What Are Some Common Mistakes People Make When Using an Inhaler?

If you don’t use your inhaler correctly, you may not get the right amount of medicine. That can affect your asthma control.

When you use your inhaler, watch out for these common mistakes:

• Not inserting the canister properly into the device
• Forgetting to prime an inhaler that needs to be primed
• Not shaking the MDI (press-and-breathe) enough to mix the medicine and propellant or forgetting to shake this type of inhaler between each puff
• Forgetting to remove the inhaler cap
• Forgetting to breathe out fully before you take your puff
• Not holding yourself or the inhaler upright
• Not using a spacer/chamber with an MDI
• Not waiting long enough between puffs
  
  

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of American (AAFA) has resources on how to use MDIs, DPIs, breath actuated inhalers, soft mist inhalers, and nebulizers. Download our FREE handout “How to Use Your Asthma Devices.”

Download, print, and share

Medical Review: May 2022 by John M. James, MD

References
1. Bonds, R., Asawa, A. and Ghazi, A. (2015). Misuse of Medical Devices: a Persistent Problem in Self-Management of Asthma and Allergic Disease. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 114(1), pp.74-76.e2.
2. Melani, A. S., Bonavia, M., Cilenti, V., Cinti, C., Lodi, M., Martucci, P., Serra, M., Scichilone, N., Sestini, P., Aliani, M., & Neri, M. (2011). Inhaler Mishandling Remains Common in Real Life and Is Associated With Reduced Disease Control. In Respiratory Medicine (Vol. 105, Issue 6, pp. 930–938). Elsevier BV. https://www.resmedjournal.com/...(11)00009-6/fulltext
3. Vanoverschelde, A., Van Der Wel, P., & Lahousse, L. (2019). Poor Inhalation Technique Is a Major Determinant of Acute Exacerbations. In Airway Pharmacology And Treatment. ERS International Congress 2019 abstracts. European Respiratory Society. https://doi.org/10.1183/13993003.congress-2019.pa4236

Advocating for people with asthma and allergies is a great way to spread awareness during National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. We invite you to join us for Advocacy Action Day!

Today, we ask you to help us tell Congress what people with asthma and allergies need to live full, healthy lives. More than 65 million Americans have asthma and allergies. And some people may have one or both of these conditions for which there is no cure.

• About 25 million Americans have asthma¹
• About 32 million Americans have food allergies^2,3
• About 24 million Americans have rhinitis (hay fever), or nasal allergies⁴
  
  

These numbers paint a picture of how many people in the U.S. are managing asthma and allergies. But they don’t show the overall impact these diseases have on people and communities.

We need Congress to consider our health in all policies, not just health care policies. People with asthma and allergies in the United States need the following to live healthy and full lives:

• Affordable, accessible, quality health care
• Clean air
• Healthy homes
• Safe food
• Financial stability
• Education
  
  

One way you can take action today is by asking Congress to support the Elijah E. Cummings Family Asthma Act. If passed, the bill would allow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Asthma Control Program (NACP) to serve all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The NACP currently only funds 23 states, Puerto Rico, and Houston, Texas.

The bill directs the CDC to work with state and local health departments to give out information and teach the public about asthma. It would also require states to make plans to address asthma, especially for communities bearing the highest burden of asthma.

Help us work to expand this critical program by taking action now! Use our tool below to send an email to your representative. You can also choose to post your message on Twitter. Then sign up to receive Advocacy Action Alerts so you can continue to help us advocate for people with asthma and allergies throughout the year.

References
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). 2019 National Health Interview Survey Data. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/asthma/nhis/2019/data.htm
2, Gupta, R. S., Warren, C. M., Smith, B. M., Jiang, J., Blumenstock, J. A., Davis, M. M., Schleimer, R. P., & Nadeau, K. C. (2019). Prevalence and Severity of Food Allergies Among US Adults. JAMA Network Open, 2(1), e185630. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.5630
3. Gupta, R. S., Warren, C. M., Smith, B. M., Blumenstock, J. A., Jiang, J., Davis, M. M., & Nadeau, K. C. (2018). The Public Health Impact of Parent-Reported Childhood Food Allergies in the United States. Pediatrics, 142(6). https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2018-1235
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). FastStats: Allergies and Hay Fever. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/allergies.htm

A healthy living space begins with good indoor air quality (IAQ). Allergens, scents, chemicals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and outdoor air pollution can affect the IAQ in your home.

Good IAQ is an important part of asthma and allergy management. But asthma triggers and allergens can hide all over our homes. So where do you begin when it comes to making your home healthier?

Some asthma and allergy triggers are easy to spot – such as dust that can contain pollen and dust mite allergens, and mold. But there are other potential asthma triggers in your indoor air. You can improve your indoor air quality by reducing the sources of allergens and asthma irritants throughout your home.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) has a Healthier Home Checklist to help you learn ways to improve your IAQ and reduce asthma and allergy triggers in your home. On our Healthier Home webpage, mouse over (or click if you’re on mobile) rooms of the house for tips for each area of your home. The tips point out some of the top asthma and allergy triggers you’ll find in each room or area.

You’ll find tips to improve IAQ in your:

• Living room
• Kitchen
• Bedrooms
• Bathrooms
• Attic/roof
• Basement
• Garage
• Laundry
  
  

You can also download and print our free Asthma-Friendly Home Checklist. You can go through the checklist to improve IAQ. It will help you learn about and control your asthma triggers. If you rent, you can share it with your property owner or landlord after identifying potential issues.

Download, Print and Share

Now that you know about our Healthier Home Checklist, you may be wondering what room to start in. We recommend starting with your bedrooms. Bedrooms tend to have the highest number of allergens and the worse IAQ of any room of your home. Since we spend one-third of our lives in our bedrooms, that’s the best place to start improving your home’s health.

Join the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) for an, “Ask the Expert Chat: How to Use Your Asthma and Allergy Medicines.” Board-certified allergist John James, MD, will be our featured expert to answer your questions about asthma and allergy medicines.

The text-based chat will be hosted on our community on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT). Become a member AAFA’s exclusive online community to participate in the chat.

WHEN: Wednesday, May 18, 2022

TIME: 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT)

WHERE: AAFA's Online Community

One chat participant will be chosen at random to receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card and an AAFA swag bag!

You can submit your questions in advance by commenting on this blog post below. We will address as many questions as we can and share resources during the chat. Dr. James can answer questions about asthma and allergy medicines that are of a general nature. The information in this chat is not intended as medical advice.

About Our Expert

Our featured guest, John M. James, MD, is a board-certified allergist. He is a medical specialist and spokesperson for the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. He is also President of Food Allergy Consulting and Education Services, LLC. He has worked as a medical specialist in the field of allergy, asthma, and immunology for over 30 years. Dr. James received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas and his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Tennessee. Dr. James completed his allergy and immunology fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, and he is board certified by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology.

Dr. John James, a board-certified allergist, answers top questions people have about asthma and allergy medicines.

Question: I was recently diagnosed with asthma. My allergist prescribed two inhalers. Why did they prescribe two? How do I know when to use each one?

Dr: James: This is a very important and practical question about asthma inhalers. First, ask your doctor to clearly explain the purpose of each inhaler and when and how to use them. Ask if there are any expected side effects of these medicines.

It is very likely one of these inhalers is an asthma controller medicine. It should be used regularly as directed. These controllers typically contain an inhaled steroid and may also include a long-acting bronchodilator medicine. They work very well to keep asthma symptoms to a minimum and prevent flare-ups of symptoms.

The second inhaler is very likely a quick-relief asthma medicine. It provides immediate relief of asthma symptoms, such as cough, wheeze, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. It does not provide long-term control of asthma symptoms. If you use of this type of medicine too often (i.e., more than six times a day or more than two days per week) you may have poor overall asthma control.

Question: How do I choose an over-the-counter antihistamine for allergy symptoms? Is BENADRYL® the best antihistamine to take?

Dr. James: For many years, people used diphenhydramine (known under the brand name BENADRYL®) as an antihistamine for their allergies. But for many reasons, this medicine is not a good choice to take for allergy symptoms because of its short-term action to manage symptoms and several known negative side effects. The major side effects of diphenhydramine include drowsiness, sedation, and fatigue. It can also impair alertness, concentration, multitasking, and memory. In turn, this antihistamine can affect important functions, such as learning and test performance in children, as well as operation of machinery and cars in adults.

Diphenhydramine and related short-acting antihistamines should be avoided.

Fortunately, there are many newer over-the-counter antihistamines available that work much better, are longer acting, and are safer than diphenhydramine. These newer antihistamines (such as ZYRTEC®, Allegra®, and Claritin®) are less likely to have major clinical side effects compared to older antihistamines like diphenhydramine. Also, these newer medicines do not carry the risk of toxicity and death that has been associated with older antihistamines. Finally, regarding the use of antihistamines in pregnancy, cetirizine (ZYRTEC®) and loratadine (Claritin®) are the medicines of choice.

Important note: If you are experiencing symptoms of a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis, the recommended treatment is epinephrine (given via injection).

Question: Are spacers or valved holding chambers for asthma inhalers only for children, or should adults use them too?

Dr. James: Children and adults can use spacers and valved holding chambers (VHCs) with certain asthma inhalers. They tend to be used more with children, but they can also be effective in adults with asthma. Spacers/VHCs are medical devices approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and they are readily available from your doctor or pharmacist.

The purpose of using a spacer/VHC is to improve the delivery of inhaled medicines to the lower airways of your lungs. This also decreases potential side effects from asthma medicines (such as thrush and hoarseness).

Spacers or valved holding chambers are used with the type of inhalers known as metered dose inhalers or press-and-breathe inhalers. (They are not used with other types of inhalers that are activated by your breathing in.)

The speed of inspiration (how fast you breathe in) is important, so the asthma medicine is deposited into your lungs and not your mouth or throat. Instructions should be given to both children and adults using these devices. The correct use for press-and-breathe inhalers include:

1. Make sure the mouthpiece is clean and not blocked.
   
   
2. Remove the cap of the asthma inhaler, shake the inhaler 10 times, and insert the inhaler into the non-mouthpiece opening of the spacer.
   
   
3. Activate (press down) the inhaler immediately after the start of a slow deep breath and continue to inhale for 3 to 5 seconds.
   
   
4. Hold your breath for 10 seconds or as long as comfortably possible.
   
   
5. Repeat as prescribed.
   
   

Some asthma inhalers are breath activated and do not need spacers/VHCs. Check with your doctor or pharmacist regarding this issue.

It’s a good idea to have your asthma care provider show you how to use your inhaler and then watch you as you practice. With some adjustments, many people can improve their technique and get more medicine into their lungs.

How to Properly Use Your Asthma Devices - Download, Print and Share

Question: Which is better – a nebulizer or an asthma inhaler?

Dr. James: The delivery of asthma medicines by the inhaler route or with a nebulizer can be equally effective if you use them correctly and as directed. First, there are many types of asthma inhaler devices that deliver medicine, including metered dose inhalers, dry powder inhalers, and breath activated inhalers. For these to work well, you must use them correctly. Your doctor should give you step-by-step instructions. Your doctor should watch you use your inhaler to assure the best technique.

A nebulizer machine turns liquid asthma medicine into a mist, which is breathed into your lungs using a mouthpiece or mask. It is also known as a breathing machine, and they are prescribed by doctors, along with the asthma medicine (solution) you use in them. Nebulizers are relatively easy to use once you learn how.

In summary, if used correctly and as directed, asthma medicines delivered by inhalers and/or nebulizers can be equally effective in managing asthma symptoms.

Question: Who should use a nebulizer?

Dr. James: Any person with asthma can use a nebulizer to deliver asthma medicine into the lungs. A nebulizer is different from an asthma inhaler. Some people with asthma prefer to use nebulizers when their asthma has flared up a lot. Other people are unable to use asthma inhalers effectively and prefer nebulizers. Most people with asthma use inhalers with or without spacer devices to administer their medicines due to ease of use, cost, and how easy they are to carry.

Question: My doctor wants me to take a biologic to treat my severe asthma. It comes in a syringe that I will have to use to inject myself at home every few weeks. How can I mentally prepare to give myself an injection?

Dr. James: Over the past several years, several injectable biologic asthma treatments have become available. These are shots or infusions given every few weeks for ongoing control of asthma symptoms that have not been well-controlled by other traditional asthma therapies. These can be given in your doctor’s office or at home using an auto-injector device with a needle, depending on the type of treatment.

Here are some tips to mentally prepare you for these injections:

1. Have your doctor’s office review and discuss any potential side effects of the biologic with you.
   
   
2. Demonstrate using with an auto-injector device in your doctor’s office. This is typically what is done with epinephrine auto-injector training devices and will assure that you know the correct steps to follow.
   
   
3. Remember that the FDA has approved the use of some of these asthma biologics by self-injection at home. The side effects are minimal, and safety has been demonstrated.
   
   
4. Understand that being able to be at home to administer the asthma treatment decreases the stress of going into your doctor’s office, sitting in the waiting room for an extended period of time, and re-scheduling visits. All these things tend to lower overall stress and anxiety by using injected asthma biologics at home.
   
   
5. If possible, have a loved one or friend be with you to help with your first injection. Or ask if your first injection can be at the doctor’s office to have them assist you with it. Once you know how it feels and works, it can be easier to do it on your own.

John M. James, MD, is a board-certified allergist. He is a medical specialist and spokesperson for the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. He is also President of Food Allergy Consulting and Education Services, LLC. He has worked as a medical specialist in the field of allergy, asthma, and immunology for over 30 years. Dr. James received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas and his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Tennessee. Dr. James completed his allergy and immunology fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, and he is board certified by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology.

Poor air quality can negatively affect everyone’s health. Pollution from traffic and building emissions, wildfires, manufacturing, fuel combustion, dust storms, agriculture, and more all contribute to an area’s air quality.

Some populations are at greater risk from the health impacts of air pollution. These include:

• People with chronic diseases (like asthma)
• Seniors and children
• People who are pregnant
• Communities of color
• People with low income or low wealth
  
  

Decades of discriminatory government policies caused certain areas to have worse air quality than others. For example, major roadways tend to be in low-income or minority communities, exposing these populations to higher concentrations of air pollution.

Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous people in the United States are at a higher risk of developing asthma, having asthma emergencies, or even dying from asthma. There are several reasons why these groups have higher asthma rates. Higher exposure to air pollution is one factor. And poor air quality can make asthma worse and trigger asthma symptoms.¹

When the primary burden of negative impacts from the environment falls on some groups of people but not others, this is called environmental injustice. And when we fight environmental injustice, we will achieve health equity.

Places near manufacturing plants and roadways with heavy traffic tend to have high rates of air pollution. This air pollution can include gases like ozone and air particles from smoke, pollen, and airborne dust. And many of these areas are becoming urban heat islands, making them hotter than surrounding rural areas. This also can increase air pollution.

If you live in an area with high air pollution, it helps to understand how air quality impacts your lungs. During Air Quality Awareness Week, visit the AirNow website for information on air quality. The daily topics include:

• Wildfires and smoke
• Asthma and your health
• Participatory science and sensors
• Environmental justice and air quality
• Air quality around the world
  
  

Also make a habit of checking your local air quality at AirNow often. Get to know the Air Quality Index (AQI) so you know when you need to take precautions to prevent asthma symptoms.

When the EPA’s AQI is “moderate” (yellow), this level of air pollution may bother some individuals with asthma (but not all). When the AQI is “unhealthy for sensitive groups” (orange), this level of air pollution may trigger symptoms in people with asthma. When the AQI is at “unhealthy” (red) levels or above, it impacts people with healthy lungs and people with asthma may have even more serious health effects.

References
1. The Links Between Air Pollution and Childhood Asthma. (2018, October 22). Epa.gov; United States Environmental Protection Agency. https://www.epa.gov/sciencematters/links-between-air-pollution-and-childhood-asthma

On May 3, 2022 – World Asthma Day – the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) is launching our Health Equity Advancement and Leadership (HEAL) program. The purpose of HEAL is to address findings from our Asthma Disparities in America report. The HEAL program reinforces AAFA’s commitment to drastically reduce health disparities in communities that bear the heaviest burden of asthma.

Health Disparities and Health Equity

Health disparities happen when a health condition, like asthma or allergies, affects one group of people differently than another group. Health disparities not only have an impact on affected groups but also limit the overall quality of health care for the entire population.

Health equity is the state in which everyone has a fair and just opportunity to reach their highest level of health. Our HEAL program aims to promote health equity and reduce asthma disparities in the United States. It is a core value and mission-critical priority for AAFA.

HEAL Innovation

As part of AAFA’s HEAL program, AAFA is announcing HEAL Innovation. It is a multiyear project with the goal of building and supporting community-based interventions to address inequities in asthma.

Each year, HEAL Innovation will award funding and resources to four local pilot programs tailored to at-risk populations most impacted by asthma. The first year of HEAL Innovation will run through mid-2023.

In this first year, AAFA is funding programs in Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, and St. Louis. The focus of these four pilot programs will be on adults and teens with asthma.

The overall goal of HEAL Innovation is to reduce asthma deaths and hospitalizations among high-risk populations by partnering with and strengthening local community programs. Because all asthma is local, AAFA recognizes the importance of combining national leadership with community-driven action.

In Detroit, for example, AAFA is partnering with the AAFA Michigan Chapter to conduct a multi-component intervention. This intervention will improve asthma control through general health and wellness, access to specialty care, assessment of home environments, and asthma self-management education.

The first year of HEAL Innovation is supported by a $1 million sponsorship from Amgen.

Learn more about the HEAL program and AAFA’s health equity work.

References
1. Health Equity. (2022). Washington State Department of Health. https://doh.wa.gov/community-a...onment/health-equity