Asthma and allergies impact one in five children in the United States. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) exhibited at the 2019 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) conference to learn the latest news in pediatrics and to talk to health care providers about the programs and services we offer.

Our pediatric asthma, allergy and environmental control programs include:

• Wee Breathers^® – This instructor-led program helps health professionals teach parents of young children managing asthma. The full program is available in English, and lesson handouts are also available in Spanish.
• You Can Control Asthma – This education program gives children ages 6 to 12 and their families more self-confidence, knowledge and skills needed to control asthma. It comes with booklets for both children and parents.
• Ally & Andy’s Awesome Asthma and Allergy Activity Booklet – This coloring and activity book gives children and families a basic understanding of asthma and food allergies. It is a fun way for children to learn common asthma triggers.
• Managing Your Child's Food Allergies – This online course will help you understand the basics of managing your child's newly diagnosed food allergy while keeping them safe.
  
  

Creating a healthier home is an important part of managing asthma and allergy symptoms. Indoor air can have a lot of allergens like dust mites, pet dander, cockroaches and mold. Scented products like cleaners, candles and detergents can give off volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can affect air quality too. Poor indoor air quality can make asthma and allergies worse. This can cause a child to miss school or perform poorly.

Air pollution can also be harmful to a child’s developing lungs. Studies show that air pollution can impair lung growth, cause more respiratory infections and lead to asthma in children. Our Asthma Capitals™ report also found that asthma rates tend to be higher in areas with high air pollution. We courage pediatricians to talk with families during wellness checks about air pollution and ways to reduce children's exposure to poor air quality.

AAFA also offers many tools to help families manage triggers in their homes. Our asthma & allergy friendly® Certification Program also offers a list of products tested and proven to reduce allergens and air pollution in the home.

Has your child’s pediatrician talked with you about air pollution or asthma and allergy triggers in your home? What effects have air quality had on your child? Tell us in the comments below.