Systemic mastocytosis (SM) affects nearly 32,000 people in the United States. People with SM have too many abnormal mast cells that cause a wide range of symptoms, including rashes, shortness of breath, and/or anaphylaxis. SM symptoms can look like asthma and allergy symptoms.

Interested in learning more? Blueprint Medicines is offering an informational program about SM this fall. During each virtual program, you’ll hear from a doctor and a person who will share their experience managing SM. You’ll also be able to participate in a live Q&A session. With four programs to choose from, you can pick the date and time that works best for you.

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Event Schedule

• Sept. 22, 2022, at 8 p.m. ET
• Oct. 26, 2022, at 7 p.m. ET
• Nov. 16, 2022, at 8 p.m. ET
• Dec. 6, 2022, at 7 p.m. ET
  
  

“Asthma has truly impacted not just my life and the way I live every day, but my family’s life and who I am as a person today.”

- Regan Lloyd, 17-year-old living with asthma

To bring the voice of patients and caregivers impacted by asthma in childhood to the forefront of drug treatment development and research, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) worked with the Allergy & Asthma Network, the American Lung Association, and the American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders, and Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America collaborated to produce the Little Airways, Big Voices: Voice of the Patient Report on Asthma in Childhood.

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The report highlights what is important to people living with and managing asthma in childhood. It will help the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) make decisions as they consider new treatment options. It will also help researchers, clinicians, and drug developers as they consider new areas of research.

Throughout the Little Airways, Big Voices initiative, we heard that people managing asthma in childhood want treatments that reduce asthma symptoms, have fewer side effects, and allow them to participate in more activities.

Now we ask that all stakeholders work together to improve the quality of life for people managing asthma in childhood. Together, we can take steps to improve asthma education, advocacy, research, and drug development.

Your Voice Makes a Difference

Your stories help us raise awareness about asthma in childhood. This includes everyone who participated in the Little Airways, Big Voices externally-led patient-focused drug development (PFDD) meeting on Sept 20, 2021, submitted written comments, and/or completed our online survey.

Watch the video of the Little Airways, Big Voices PFDD meeting

Special thanks also to Sanofi, Regeneron, Amgen, and Novartis for sponsoring the Little Airways, Big Voices initiative.

AAFA’s 2022 Asthma Capitals™ Report Highlights the Most Challenging Places in the U.S. to Live With Asthma

In September, asthma attacks and hospitalizations are higher than any other time of year. This is called the September Asthma Epidemic. During this critical month, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) has released the 2022 Asthma Capitals™ report. This report analyzes data from the 100 largest cities in the U.S. to identify the most challenging places to live with asthma. Detroit, Michigan, tops the list for 2022.

How Are the Asthma Capitals Ranked?

Knowing what puts someone at higher risk for asthma is an important part of understanding and treating the disease. Factors that impact asthma outcomes can vary from one city to another. The Asthma Capitals report ranks each city based on these factors:

• Asthma prevalence (or occurrence)
• Asthma-related emergency room visits
• Asthma-related deaths
  
  

The report also highlights risk factors that can influence asthma outcomes:

• Poverty
• Lack of health insurance
• Air pollution
• Pollen counts
• Smoking laws
• Lack of access to asthma specialists
  
  

This year’s Asthma Capitals report continues to highlight the ongoing health disparities related to asthma prevalence, health care use, and mortality. The report reviews some of the work we’ve done through our Health Equity Advancement and Leadership (HEAL) program. Spotlights in the report show how local action is improving asthma outcomes in areas such as Detroit, Chicago, St. Louis, Los Angeles, and New York City.

How Can We Improve Asthma Outcomes?

Even though some factors that impact asthma may be out of our control, there are some steps we can all take to improve asthma outcomes. The Asthma Capitals report identifies small steps that law makers, local and federal officials, health care providers, and people with asthma and their caregivers can take to help improve asthma in their communities.

Advocate for Policies That Protect People With Asthma

Through your vote, you can support asthma-friendly policies in local, state, and national elections. When following local elections, look for proposals or policies on topics such as emissions, public smoking, clean air, traffic, and manufacturing. Laws on these topics can impact asthma rates and outcomes.

Talk to local leaders about asthma in their communities and ask them to consider supporting policies that benefit people with asthma.

Learn About Managing Asthma

Managing asthma involves a multi-step approach. This involves taking asthma medicine and limiting exposure to your asthma triggers. Work with an asthma specialist to come up with the best plan for you. AAFA offers free resources to help:

• Online support community
• ASTHMA Care for Adults online course
• List of CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly® products to help you make your indoor air healthier
• Opportunities to participate in research to improve future asthma treatment
  
  

Support AAFA’s Mission

Your gift can help us continue to support families and advocate on behalf of communities impacted by asthma.

The 2022 Asthma Capitals™ report is an independent research project of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America and made possible by support from Sanofi and Regeneron.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) has joined with PlatformQ Health and MedLive for an educational program, “Breathe, Finally: Practical, Proactive Approaches to Receive Personalized Care for Your Nasal Polyps.” The live, interactive session will take place on Sept. 16, at 10:30 a.m. ET.

REGISTER NOW

Learn about the latest recommendations for managing nasal polyps. During this one-hour program, expert clinicians, patient advocates, and people with nasal polyps will talk about:

• Other conditions that commonly occur with nasal polyps
• Deciding between surgery, biologics, or other treatment options
• The role of the allergist in managing nasal polyps
• How to know if treatment is working
• What your choices are if treatment is not working
  
  

If you miss the live session, you can watch it later on demand.

Have questions about nasal polyps? The expert panel will answer questions from the audience during the session. Submit your questions now until the start of the webinar.