Navigating the world of biologics can be complicated. But it doesn't have to be! If you’ve tried treatments for our asthma, food allergies, eczema, eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), or nasal polyps without success and wonder if biologics are right for you, don't miss our upcoming webinar on biologics.

Join the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) for our webinar, “Biologics 101.”

Biologics 101

Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, at 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT)

REGISTER NOW

This webinar will feature Jessica Peck DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC, CNE, CNL, FAANP, FAAN. Dr. Peck will lead a lively discussion on the following topics:

• What is a biologic?
• Navigating and coordinating biologics with your health care team
• Biologics for asthma, food allergies and related conditions
• What to do once you are prescribed a biologic
  
  

Sign up today for our webinar and submit your questions on biologics. Then join us on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, at 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT) to learn more about the possible role of biologics in helping you manage your condition.

Welcome to our September research update! Getting involved with research is an important way to impact asthma and allergy treatments, education, and awareness.

This month, we are highlighting clinical trials, surveys, and news on:

• Asthma
• Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU)
• Impacts of nasal allergies on work productivity
• Flu and COVID-19 vaccine rates among people with asthma
• Mental health impact of eczema in children and teens

Note: The links below will take you to external websites.

Surveys

Share Your Experiences Living with CSU (Chronic Hives)

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) is leading a study to learn more about the experiences of people living with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), also known as chronic hives. If you have CSU, or are a caregiver to someone with CSU, we invite you to participate in this research survey.

Your insights will help us guide educational content and programmatic resources around CSU. The survey should take less than 15 minutes to complete.

TAKE THE SURVEY

Latest Asthma and Allergy News

Allergy

Impact of Allergies on Work Productivity and Costs
Worldwide, nasal allergies (called allergic rhinitis) affect between 10% to 30% of the population. Allergy symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes can make it harder to focus or be productive at work. Long-term, these impacts can affect the economy. A recent study looked more into how allergic rhinitis affects work productivity and the cost impacts in 40 different countries.

To do this, researchers looked at data from the MASK-air® app, which collects information from people who have nasal allergies. Researchers asks questions to find out how much nasal allergies affected people's ability to work. They focused on both working while sick and missing work. The study found that when nasal allergies are poorly controlled, it can reduce work productivity by about 60.7%. This loss in productivity leads to increased costs worldwide.

People who have both nasal allergies and asthma have an even greater reduction in work productivity, especially when their nasal allergies are poorly controlled. The study showed that better control of nasal allergies could help improve work productivity and reduce the economic burden associated with the condition.

Asthma

Differences in Asthma Frequency and Costs for Children and Teens
Asthma is a common and costly condition among children and teens. A new study looked at differences in asthma frequency and medical costs among children and teens in the U.S. using data from 2016 to 2021. The study included 2,365 children and teens with treated asthma (those who needed medical care for their asthma) and compared them to 40,497 children and teens who were not getting treatment for their asthma.

The study found that children with treated asthma were more likely to be non-Hispanic Black or Hispanic, male, and have public insurance. Children and teens with treated asthma had an extra $3,362.56 in yearly medical costs compared to those with untreated asthma. This added cost included medicines, emergency room visits, and doctor visits. Non-Hispanic Black children with treated asthma had lower total and office-based medical costs than White children with asthma. The study highlights ongoing differences in asthma frequency and medical costs based on race, ethnicity, and other factors.

Flu and COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake Among People with Asthma
Managing asthma well, including getting vaccines, can help protect people with asthma from infections and severe symptoms during times when respiratory viruses are common. A recently published study looked at COVID-19 and flu vaccine rates and barriers among people with asthma.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) conducted an online survey of people with asthma from April to May in 2022. The survey asked whether or not people got vaccinated and what kept them from getting vaccinated.

Most survey respondents said they got an flu vaccine for the 2021–2022 flu season (77%) and at least 1 dose of a COVID-19 vaccine (87%). Age, gender, race, and income influenced who got the flu shot. Age and where people lived (city or rural) affected COVID-19 vaccination rates. Access issues were not commonly reported as something that kept people from getting vaccines. These results could help create better education and communication to increase vaccination rates and reduce severe outcomes of respiratory illnesses.

Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema)

Mental Health Impact of Chronic Skin Conditions in Children
Chronic skin conditions like acne and eczema can lead to stigmatization (feeling “othered” or left out). This impact can be very hard for children and affect their mental health and quality of life.

A recent study looked at 1,671 children ages 8 to 17 across the U.S. and Canada to see how much stigma they faced based on how severe their skin conditions were and how easy they were to see. Children and their caregivers were asked about their condition severity, stigma, quality of life, mental health, and peer relationships.

The findings showed that about 44% of the kids had felt moderate to severe stigma. Stigma was closely linked to lower quality of life, higher levels of depression and anxiety, and poor peer relationships. Girls reported more stigma than boys, and children with conditions like excessive sweating were more likely to have depression and anxiety.

The study highlights the importance of not only treating eczema but also addressing mental health issues that come with having this skin condition. This should result in improved overall well-being.

Medical Review: September 2024 by Jerry Shier, MD

AAFA is pushing to lower the costs of asthma and allergy medicines, including inhalers. We know the high cost of medicine can be a barrier to treatment.

Some major asthma inhaler manufacturers have announced $35 a month caps on out-of-pocket costs. The price cap will apply to people with commercial/private insurance or no insurance. The inhalers that will be price capped include:

AstraZeneca (effective June 1, 2024):

• AIRSUPRA® (albuterol and budesonide) inhalation aerosol
• BEVESPI AEROSPHERE® (glycopyrrolate and formoterol fumarate) inhalation aerosol
• BREZTRI AEROSPHERE® (budesonide, glycopyrrolate, and formoterol fumarate) inhalation aerosol
• SYMBICORT® (budesonide and formoterol fumarate dihydrate) inhalation aerosol
  
  

How it works:

• Commercially insured and covered: You can pay as little as $0 for AIRSUPRA and BREZTRI and pay no more than $35 for SYMBICORT and BEVESPI using the savings cards provided on brand websites. 
  • Here are the website links to access the savings cards: AIRSUPRA, BEVESPI, BREZTRI, and SYMBICORT
• Commercially insured but AstraZeneca inhaler is not covered in your plan: You or your health care providers can request a prior authorization or ask your doctor about a therapeutic alternative. 
• Uninsured: if eligible, you can use the $35 uninsured savings card accessible on the US Patient Support site. 
• Government insured (Medicare/Medicaid):  Federal law prohibits people on government programs from using a savings card, which is why they may be directed to AZ&Me. Qualifications for AZ&Me are based on where you live, insurance status, and income.
• For additional questions or more information, visit AstraZeneca’s patient support site or call: 1-800-236-9933
  
  

Boehringer Ingelheim (effective June 1, 2024):

• Atrovent® HFA (ipratropium bromide HFA) inhalation aerosol
• Combivent® Respimat® (ipratropium bromide and albuterol) inhalation spray
• Spiriva® HandiHaler® (tiotropium bromide) inhalation powder
• Spiriva® Respimat® 1.25 mcg (tiotropium bromide) inhalation spray
• Spiriva® Respimat® 2.5 mcg (tiotropium bromide) inhalation spray
• Stiolto® Respimat® (tiotropium bromide and olodaterol) inhalation spray
• Striverdi® Respimat® (olodaterol) inhalation spray
  
  

How it works:

• If you have commercial insurance and are eligible, the reduced out-of-pocket cost will be automatically applied at participating retail pharmacies. More than 90% of pharmacies across the country are participating in the program, making the change seamless and automatic for most people. There are no forms to fill out or websites to go to – the discount happens electronically with no action required.
• All other eligible people, including those whose pharmacies do not participate and people without insurance, can visit www.InhalerOffer.com to enroll for a savings card to present at pharmacies to receive the same $35 cap of out-of-pocket costs.
• Federal law prevents people on government insurance programs (Medicare/Medicaid/TriCare) from being eligible for this price cap program.
  
  

GSK (with price change going into effect no later than Jan. 1, 2025):

• Advair Diskus (fluticasone propionate and salmeterol inhalation powder)
• Advair HFA (fluticasone propionate and salmeterol inhalation aerosol)
• Anoro Ellipta (umeclidinium and vilanterol inhalation powder)
• Arnuity Ellipta (fluticasone furoate inhalation powder)
• Breo Ellipta (fluticasone furoate and vilanterol inhalation powder)
• Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium inhalation powder)
• Serevent Diskus (salmeterol xinafoate inhalation powder)
• Trelegy Ellipta (fluticasone furoate, umeclidinium, and vilanterol inhalation powder)
• Ventolin HFA (albuterol sulfate inhalation aerosol)

AAFA is leading the way to reduce health care costs for people with asthma

"On behalf of the 27 million people in the United States with asthma, we appreciate the leadership of President Biden and Senator Sanders to bring down costs for asthma treatments. Pricing announcements made in March by some manufacturers of inhalers will mean lower costs and improved access to asthma medicine for many people with asthma starting this June,” said AAFA President and CEO Kenneth Mendez. “As President Biden indicated, more can and should be done. It’s not just drug companies, others need to step forward. We welcome continued efforts to improve affordability and accessibility of these essential medicines so all patients can get the treatment they need.”

AAFA continues to raise the voice of the patient community and draw attention to the ways America’s complex drug pricing ecosystem makes asthma medications more expensive for people who need them most. Drug manufacturers, pharmacy benefit managers, insurers, employers, and the government must work together to improve affordability and access.

Access to affordable drugs is a critical component of reducing racial disparities in asthma. Black and Hispanic individuals not only experience higher rates of asthma but also are more likely to be uninsured or underinsured. Deaths due to asthma – although decreasing overall – occur at a much higher rate in the Black and Puerto Rican populations than in the White population. Black individuals are nearly three times as likely to die from asthma than White individuals.

Last fall, AAFA shared patient stories and its Asthma Disparities in America report with the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee which then launched an investigation into the high price of asthma inhalers early this year.

AAFA’s research indicates that when the cost of medicine becomes a barrier to treatment, people with asthma resort to rationing or simply discontinue use.

Access to asthma medications can save lives, reduce hospitalizations, and lower the more than $82 billion in annual costs to the U.S. economy from this chronic disease. But the U.S. health care system is complex, and often leaves patients with few affordable options.

Ragweed pollen allergy is a major cause of seasonal allergies, also known as “hay fever.” Its light pollen easily spreads far and wide, triggering nasal allergies and allergic asthma in its path.

If you have a ragweed pollen allergy, it helps to know what you are up against. If you live in the U.S., you probably feel the effects of ragweed pollen in the late summer and fall. Here are some things you may not know about ragweed.

Ragweed Season Peaks in Mid-September

Ragweed starts pollinating as early as July in some states, especially states in the South. But for most of the country, it appears in August and peaks in mid-September. Ragweed pollen can stick around as late as October, depending on where you live.

If you are allergic to ragweed, learn when ragweed pollen starts in your location. Talk with a board-certified allergist, if possible, about ways to prepare for the season before it begins to make it easier to manage your symptoms when the pollen peaks.

Ragweed Grows Throughout the United States

Ragweed is hard to escape. It grows throughout the United States. To help reduce your exposure to ragweed pollen, track ragweed season where you live. Check sites like AAAAI's National Allergy Bureau to follow pollen readings often.

Ragweed pollen peaks in the mornings. Plan your time outside for the afternoon and evenings when possible.

Your Immune System May Mistake Other Plants and Food for Ragweed

There are other plants that are related to ragweed. They may cause allergy symptoms as well. Avoid planting sunflowers, sage, burweed marsh elder, rabbit brush, mugwort, groundsel bush, and eupatorium near your home.

If you have a condition called pollen-food allergy syndrome (PFAS - also known as oral allergy syndrome (OAS), your mouth may itch or tingle when you eat certain foods. This is because the pollen is similar to the proteins in some foods, so your body can’t tell the difference. This is called cross-reactivity.

Food such as cantaloupes, bananas, watermelon, and sunflower seeds may cause symptoms in some people who have a ragweed allergy.

Rarely, PFAS can trigger anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction, so it is important to know if you have PFAS or a food allergy and how to treat it. Some of the symptoms of PFAS and anaphylaxis may be similar. If you have symptoms when eating foods, talk with an allergist.

Ragweed Pollen Can Travel Hundreds of Miles

Ragweed pollen is very light, making it easy for the wind to carry it for miles. Don’t let ragweed follow you around. Cover your hair, eyes, and face when you go outside. Shower at night to remove pollen. Also have everyone who enters your home leave their shoes at the door.

Immunotherapy May Provide Relief from Ragweed Pollen Allergy

If you are allergic to ragweed pollen, there are options for treatment. Many of them are available over the counter.

• Nasal corticosteroids – These nasal sprays treat nasal inflammation, reduce symptoms and congestion, and block allergic reactions. They are the most effective for nasal symptoms and have few side effects.
• Antihistamines – They work by reducing your runny nose, sneezing, and itching in your eyes and sinuses. Choose non-drowsy options.
• Decongestants – They shrink swollen nasal passages to help you feel less stuffy. Nose drops and sprays should be taken short term.
• Leukotriene inhibitors – This medicine blocks chemicals your body releases when you have an allergic reaction.
• Cromolyn sodium – This nasal spray blocks chemicals that cause allergy symptoms, like histamine and leukotrienes.
  
  

If over-the-counter allergy medicine doesn’t relieve your allergy symptoms, talk with your doctor about other treatment options. It is especially important for you to seek treatment if you have allergic asthma and ragweed pollen is a trigger for you.

Many people benefit from immunotherapy. This can come in the form of allergy shots or sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT).

With allergy shots, your doctor gives you injections of allergens in an increasing dose over time. You gradually become less sensitive to that allergen.

With SLIT, you take a small dose of an allergen under your tongue. You also gradually become less sensitive to that allergen. Currently, SLIT is available for ragweed and dust mite allergies.

The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology have tools to help you find a board-certified allergist in your area.

Wearing a Mask and Sunglasses During Ragweed Season May Reduce the Pollen’s Effects

Face masks can reduce your exposure to ragweed pollen. Wearing an N95 mask when outside can prevent pollen particles from entering your nose and lungs. This may lower your chance of having symptoms.

Sunglasses can protect your eyes from ragweed pollen too. Pollen can be irritating and may cause watery and itchy eyes. Also consider a hat to keep the pollen out of your hair.

Healthy Indoor Air Quality Can Help You Manage Your Asthma and Allergies Overall

If ragweed pollen season drives you to spend more time indoors, pay attention to your indoor air quality. Indoor air is often more polluted than outside air. Poor indoor air quality can make your asthma and allergies worse. Combine poor indoor air quality with ragweed pollen, and you may be downright miserable.

The following can affect your indoor air quality:

• Allergens, like dust mites, pet dander, cockroaches, and mold
• Scents, chemicals, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
• Outdoor air pollution
  
  

Use our interactive Healthier Home Checklist to find where allergens, triggers, and irritants can hide. Then follow the steps to improve your indoor air.

Some products can help you improve and maintain good indoor air. The asthma & allergy friendly® Certification Program helps you find products that have been scientifically tested in labs and meet strict standards. These products have proven that they effectively remove or reduce your exposure to asthma and allergy triggers. Through our program, you’ll find CERTIFIED vacuum cleaners, air filters, bedding, flooring, and more.

Medical Review Based off the webpage, “Ragweed Pollen Allergy,” reviewed August 2023 by Jill Poole, MD

AAFA’s 2024 Asthma Capitals™ Report Highlights the Most Challenging Places in the U.S. to Live with Asthma

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) has released the 2024 Asthma Capitals report. This report shows how location may impact asthma in cities across the contiguous (“lower 48”) United States. It analyzes data from the 100 largest cities in the U.S. to identify the most challenging places to live with asthma.

Why is this report important? Where you live can impact your asthma. It can be affected by air pollution, your ability to get health care, income, and more. It is our goal that this report inspires action – action everyone can take – to reduce asthma rates and prevent asthma deaths. We can achieve this together.

Allentown, Pennsylvania, is #1 for 2024. Allentown was also #1 last year.

2024 Asthma Capitals Report Highlights

The 2024 Asthma Capitals report highlights where we can focus our efforts for healthier environments and communities. This year’s report includes:

• Sample resolutions for designating “Asthma Peak Week” and “Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month” in your state
• A toolkit to help advocates champion better policies for people living with asthma
• A spotlight on policies to support better access to asthma medicines and asthma care
• An update on the work AAFA is supporting to address asthma disparities in local communities – including in Allentown, the #1 Asthma Capital for the 2nd year in a row
  
  

“Nearly 28 million people in the United States have asthma,” said Kenneth Mendez, president and CEO of AAFA. “For people with asthma, this report makes clear that where they live plays a significant role in their quality of life. Federal, state, and local policymakers should use this report as a guide to address climate change, indoor air quality, and access to medical care. Addressing these issues can go a long way to help improve the lives of people with asthma.”

Read AAFA’s 2024 Asthma Capitals report to see how your city ranks on our list and what communities can do to improve asthma outcomes.

How Can I Learn More 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
• 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
  
  

The 2024 Asthma Capitals report is an independent research project of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America and made possible by support from Amgen, Sanofi, and Regeneron.

Keeping your asthma under control is a key part of staying healthy. Avoiding asthma triggers to prevent symptoms is important. So is carrying a quick-relief (“rescue”) inhaler everywhere you go. Controller medicines that you take regularly, sometimes every day, help you prevent and control asthma symptoms.

But asthma medicine may cost a lot, whether or not you have insurance. If multiple members of your family have asthma, you may spend even more. Your house may be stocked with different kinds of inhalers and pills for each person.

Here are some ideas to try to lower the cost of your asthma medicines:

1. Patient assistance and drug discounts – Patient assistance programs are resources that offer free or reduced-cost asthma medicines. Each program has different rules for qualifying. Make sure to follow specific directions for each program or discount. Some medicine companies offer discount coupons, while other companies may offer free medicine.

2. Compare pharmacy prices – Call around to different pharmacies. Prices may vary, especially between large chain pharmacies and smaller independent pharmacies. Pharmacies at club stores, such as Costco and Sam’s Club, are generally available to non-members too. Try a price comparison tool like GoodRx. If you have prescription benefits through your insurance, look into your plan’s mail-order pharmacy options. This may give you a lower price or provide more medicine for the same price.

3. Talk with your doctor – Your doctor may be able to prescribe a lower-cost asthma medicine that treats your condition. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved generic versions of some asthma medicines, such as Symbicort®. Talk with your doctor about your treatment options.

4. Change insurance plans – If possible, shop for a different insurance plan. If you do not get insurance through your job or Medicare or Medicaid, you can shop for insurance through the federal Health Insurance Marketplace. You may also be able to buy insurance directly from some insurance companies. You can look for new insurance during their open enrollment period, which is usually in the fall of each year. You can also shop for new insurance any time of year for certain reasons or life events.

When you shop for new insurance, ask to see a list of medicines the policy will cover, called a “formulary.” Look for the asthma inhalers you take on the list or look at the list with your doctor.

If your family’s income is below a certain level, you might qualify for Medicaid and/or your children might qualify under The Children's Health Insurance Program. This depends on your state. Visit HealthCare.gov or your state’s health insurance site. If you get insurance through work, find out if you can shop around during open enrollment.

5. File an appeal– If your insurance refuses to pay for a medicine, you have the right to appeal. HealthCare.gov has more information about how to appeal a denial.

Updated August 2024

Welcome to our August research update! Getting involved with research is an important way to impact asthma and allergy treatments, education, and awareness.

This month, we are highlighting clinical trials, surveys, and news on:

• Adults with asthma
• Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU)
• Teens and adults with hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES)
• Impacts of health insurance coverage loss, occupation and industry, and home and school pollution on asthma
• Treatment development for chronic inducible urticaria (CIndU)

Note: The links below will take you to external websites.

Asthma and Allergy Clinical Trials

Do You or Your Child Have Hypereosinophilic Syndrome (HES)?

The NATRON study is now enrolling patients 12 and older.

Those who qualify may receive:

• Study-related care from local doctors at no cost
• Study medication at no cost
• Reimbursement for reasonable trial-related travel expenses
  
  

There is no obligation, so answer a few questions now to see if you or your child may qualify to participate.

ANSWER QUESTIONS NOW

View the Study Videos

Sponsored by AstraZeneca

Are You Currently Taking Oral Corticosteroids (OCS) for Your Asthma?

Would you like to contribute to important new research? SUNRISE is a clinical study investigating whether a new biologic treatment called tezepelumab may help to reduce or remove the need for OCS in adults with severe asthma. The study is looking for people who:

• Are between 18 and 80 years of age
• Have had an asthma diagnosis for at least 1 year
• Have been taking OCS for asthma for at least 6 months
• Have been using inhaled corticosteroids for at least a year, and a long-acting beta 2-agonist (LABA) for at least 3 months
• Have not been receiving any biologic treatment for asthma for at least 4 months
  
  

Sponsored by AstraZeneca

LEARN MORE

Does Your Child Have Uncontrolled Hives?

There is a new clinical trial testing a medicine called dupilumab to see if it can safely help children aged ≥ 2 years to <12 years with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). CSU is marked by the appearance of itchy hives.

Sponsored by Sanofi

LEARN MORE

Surveys

Share Your Experiences Living with CSU (Chronic Hives)

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) is leading a study to learn more about the experiences of people living with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), also known as chronic hives. If you have CSU, or are a caregiver to someone with CSU, we invite you to participate in this research survey.

Your insights will help us guide educational content and programmatic resources around CSU. The survey should take less than 15 minutes to complete.

TAKE THE SURVEY

Latest Asthma and Allergy News

Asthma

Study Explores the Impact of Health Insurance Coverage Loss During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among People with Asthma
The COVID-19 pandemic caused many people to lose their jobs and health insurance coverage. For people living with chronic conditions like asthma, this can present a big challenge for the day-to-day management of symptoms. A recent study looked at how government policies like relief payments and health insurance expansion helped people effectively manage their asthma during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The researchers conducted phone interviews with 21 adults with asthma who lost their jobs and health insurance during the pandemic. These interviews assessed health and economic policies affecting access to care and management of asthma. Participants said it became harder to get the care they needed and were worried that having asthma made them more likely to get seriously ill from COVID-19. Losing health insurance made things even worse, but relief efforts such as direct government payments helped some people afford their asthma treatments. But participants found it hard to understand, afford, and use expanded health insurance options like the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace and COBRA.

This study suggests that while expanding health insurance is important, there should be more focus on making it easier for people to access and understand health insurance options. Simple and flexible financial help, like direct payment, is especially useful for people managing chronic diseases like asthma.

Impact of Industry and Occupation on the Burden of Asthma in the United States
Workplaces are a common source of asthma triggers such as air pollution, chemicals, dust, mold, and animals. A recent study looked at asthma rates, flare-ups, and emergency room visits among workers in different jobs and industries during 2020 and 2021.

Researchers used data from the National Health Interview Survey, focusing on adults who had jobs in the year before the survey. They found that about 12.7 million working adults in the U.S. had asthma. Of these, 40% had an asthma flare-up, and 8.6% had to visit the emergency room because of their asthma during the year.

Workers in administrative, support, waste management, and social service jobs had the highest rates of asthma. Almost one-half of those in arts, entertainment, recreation and media occupations reported having an asthma flare-up. Workers in food service were most likely to have an asthma-related emergency room visit.

The study estimated that 9.2% of asthma cases were related to the industry people worked in, and 12.2% were related to their specific job. This means that more than 1 million asthma cases among workers could be linked to their jobs.

These findings highlight the need to identify asthma early in relation to work and to work to reduce exposure to triggers and irritants to help people in high-risk jobs. These should include training and education, using appropriate personal protective equipment, and creating health-focused workplace policies.

Home and School Pollutant Exposure, Respiratory Outcomes, and Influence of Historical Redlining
Redlining is a discriminatory practice that dates to the 1930s. This denies important resources or services to neighborhoods that have higher racial and ethnic minority populations. A recent study explored how historical redlining continues to affect children's health today, particularly related to pollution exposure and asthma.

Researchers looked at 240 children with moderate to severe asthma aged 6 to 17 from 9 U.S. cities. They wanted to see if children living or going to school in historically redlined neighborhoods were more exposed to air pollution like fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and how this exposure affected their asthma. Standard asthma index scores and lung functions were assessed.

More than 1/3 (37.5%) of the children lived or attended school in redlined neighborhoods. These children had higher exposure to NO₂ and lived closer to pollution sources (such as highways) compared to those in non-redlined neighborhoods.

While PM2.5 levels didn’t seem to affect overall asthma severity or lung function in these neighborhoods, higher PM2.5 levels were linked to worse asthma symptoms. This connection wasn’t found in non-redlined neighborhoods.

This study shows that historical redlining has lasting effects on environmental health, as children in these areas face greater risks from pollution that can worsen asthma. The results highlight the ongoing environmental injustice faced by people living in areas affected by past discriminatory policies.

Chronic Hives

Celldex Therapeutics Presents Positive Topline Results from Barzolvolimab Phase 2 Study in Chronic Inducible Urticaria
Celldex Therapeutics announced positive results from a Phase 2 clinical trial of barzolvolimab, a potential new treatment for 2 types of chronic inducible urticaria (CIndU): cold urticaria (ColdU) and symptomatic dermographism (SD). These conditions cause hives and itching when triggered by cold or skin rubbing.

Barzolvolimab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets and inhibits the KIT receptor, which is important for mast cell function. Mast cells are specific immune cells found throughout the body, especially the skin. Mast cell function is a key player in both CIndU and SD.

The study involved 196 patients split into 2 groups, ColdU and SD, and included patients who still had symptoms even after taking antihistamines. Participants were given different doses of barzolvolimab or a placebo (non-treatment). At 12 weeks, participants taking barzolvolimab showed major improvements. Many had fewer or no symptoms. The drug was also well-tolerated, with most side effects being mild, like hair color changes and a drop in certain white blood cells called neutrophils. No serious infections were linked to the treatment.

These results suggest that barzolvolimab could become a new, much-needed treatment option for people with these hard-to-manage skin conditions. Celldex plans to continue developing the drug and will present more data from on-going studies later this year.

Medical Review: July 2024 by John James, MD