Blog

Like many organizations, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. The asthma and allergy community has been heavily impacted by several events of 2020: The public health emergency and economic recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic Loss of health care or delayed access to medications due to the pandemic Record-breaking wildfires and health impacts related to natural disasters and air pollution Widespread upheaval over racial...

It shouldn’t have happened. Not to Urainia Bendter. Not to her ex-husband. Not to her partner Lamont Sykes. Not to her grieving son. Not to her newborn daughter. And not to Adaora Elikwu. At only 12 years old, Adaora was destined for greatness. She knew what she wanted − to go an Ivy League school and be a lawyer one day. She was well on her way, having been accepted into the DREAM Specialized High School Institute to earn a seat at a specialized high school in New York City. Talkative and...

COVID-19 and the flu – lung infections that can trigger asthma symptoms – spread easily from person to person. Shopping in crowded stores can increase the spread of lung infections. Luckily, there are options to help you protect yourself and others. Many of the same items you can buy in stores are available through at-home shopping. Health Benefits to Shopping From Home Many people shop from home because of how easy it is to have items delivered right to your door. You don’t have to leave...

If you have eczema (atopic dermatitis) or care for someone who does, watch our recorded webinar, “Taking Charge of My Eczema.”

Update: It's official! On Jan. 5, 2021, the president signed the School-Based Allergies and Asthma Management Program Act into law. Thank you to our community. Your efforts helped to get this bill signed into law, which will help thousands of students with asthma and allergies and their families nationwide. AAFA Celebrates Major Advocacy Win! Congress Passes School-Based Allergies and Asthma Management Program Act, H.R. 2468 Law gives greater protections and resources to students with asthma...

"Recent media reports of reactions to the new Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, first out of the U.K. and now one report in the United States are stirring safety concerns for people with a history of serious allergies. It’s important to remember that we still don’t have the full details regarding the specifics of any of these reported reactions. Allergists, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are all keeping an eye on these...

Holiday decorations make your home fun and festive. But they can also bring in asthma triggers and allergens. How do you deck the halls while keeping a healthy home? Here are five asthma & allergy friendly® tips for a healthier home for the holidays.

Dr. Vin Gupta joined the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) to talk about COVID-19, the flu, and managing asthma on Dec. 10, 2020. He answered questions from viewers on: Protecting yourself from the flu and COVID-19 while managing asthma The flu and COVID-19 vaccines Helping students manage asthma in school during COVID-19 Note: We recorded this webinar before the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. We connected with several members...

Don't let hidden allergy and asthma triggers ruin your holiday cheer. Knowing where your triggers can hide during this festive season can reduce your chances of an asthma flare. Review your Asthma Action Plan and always keep your emergency medicines with you at all times.

On Dec. 3, 2020, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced updates to the clinical guidelines used to diagnose and manage asthma. The new guidelines are titled "The 2020 Focused Updates to the Asthma Management Guidelines: A Report from The National Asthma Education and Prevention Program Expert Panel Working Group." The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the NIH, oversaw the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program Coordinating Committee (NAEPPCC) and...

On Jan. 22, 2020, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) released proposed rules on animals on planes. If they finalize these rules, airlines would no longer be forced to recognize emotional support animals as service animals and may treat them as pets.

On Sept. 16, 2020, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) released our Asthma Disparities in America report. This report looks at how asthma affects Black, Hispanic and American Indian/Alaska Native groups in the United States. After coming across this report, Valerie Vison reached out to share her story. In the essay below, you’ll hear from Valerie, who lost her husband, Jordan, to asthma on July 22. In a World of “What If” – Could Racial Bias Have Contributed to My 30-Year-Old...