Research that will be presented at the 2021 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) Virtual Annual Meeting found that wearing a mask, which helps to slow the spread of COVID-19, does not impact the oxygen saturation of the wearer, regardless of if the individual has asthma or not.
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) is working with the National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF) on important asthma research. The goal of this partnership is to provide helpful data to help reduce asthma disparities among minority groups. NMQF is a health care research and education nonprofit. Their mission is to reduce patient risk by assuring the best possible care for all. They combine data and knowledge to help end health disparities. This data helps health care providers,...
The New England Chapter of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) recently hosted a webinar to examine health equity among Black Americans. Four experts joined the online discussion, titled “Speaker Series: Health Care Disparities in the Asthma and Allergy Community.” The panel looked at how these factors affect health equity: Social determinants of health Structural racism Implicit bias Asthma Disparities in America The burden of asthma in the U.S. falls disproportionately on...
Does a change in season cause you to have a stuffy nose and watery, itchy eyes? Do you find yourself sneezing a lot during the spring and fall? If so, you may live in an Allergy Capital™. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) has released the 2021 Allergy Capitals™ report . This report ranks the top 100 most challenging cities in the continental United States to live with seasonal pollen allergies. The report includes both spring and fall data to create a ranking of the top 100...
Update – Feb. 18, 2021 We have updated this blog post with information on new state and Healthcare.gov special open enrollment periods. We have also included information on how health insurance access affects asthma disparities. Access to health care is an important part of managing asthma and allergy symptoms. But many people – especially Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous Americans – don’t have access to health insurance that would make health care affordable. This contributes to asthma...
The year 2020 was unlike any other – filled with loss and uncertainty for so many. With the nation still rocked by a global pandemic, this year is proving to be no different. Despite many obstacles, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) remains committed to advocating for the asthma and allergy community. Last year, we led and took part in more than 20 different coalitions working together to move bills through Congress and state governments. Four of the bills AAFA championed...
Update – Feb. 12, 2021 We updated this blog post to include updated face mask guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Face masks have become essential tools in our fight against COVID-19 (the new coronavirus) . But wearing a face mask raises many questions for people with asthma . Why Do We Need to Wear Face Masks During the COVID-19 Pandemic? Physical distancing (also known as social distancing) helps slow the spread of COVID-19. So why do we need to wear face...
Social and economic factors play a big role in health disparities in the United States. A health disparity is when a health condition, like asthma, affects one group of people differently than another group. In the U.S., Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous people carry the greatest asthma burden. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s (AAFA) “ Asthma Disparities in America ” report looks at these differences. Social Determinants of Health Social determinants of health (SDOH) are factors...
The COVID-19 pandemic has hit Black Americans hard. According to The COVID Racial Data Tracker , the COVID death rate of Black Americans is 1.5 times that of white people. We now have two COVID-19 vaccines , with more on the way. While the vaccines offer hope overall, they raise other concerns. Many Black Americans may not be able to get it. Or they may choose to not to get it. The National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF) held a virtual town hall on Jan. 25, 2021, to examine barriers that may...
Asthma disparities among Black communities in the United States have existed for many decades. Experts have studied and noted the causes in great detail. Recently, the focus finally started to shift from talking about the problem to changing it.
On Feb. 8, 2021, Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL), Rep. Alma Adams (D-NC), Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), and other leaders of Congress introduced the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act . The act is made up of 12 bills introduced by Black Maternal Health Caucus members. Its goal is to address the health crisis among Black mothers in the U.S. America has the highest numbers of deaths among pregnant and new mothers in the developed world. And the rate is rising. This crisis is most severe for Black...
February marks Black History Month in the United States. It celebrates the major achievements of Black Americans throughout history. It is also a chance to learn about key moments that have not only shaped the Black experience in America, but that of the entire nation. Black History Month is often a time to look at how far we’ve come and how far we have to go. At the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), we believe one of the best ways to honor the past is to heal the present and...
It’s almost Valentine’s Day! It’s a time to show your love. But it's also a time for people with asthma and allergies to be extra careful about their triggers. When celebrating Valentine's Day, show you care by being inclusive of people with asthma and allergies. If you give your sweetheart a bottle of perfume or a beautiful bouquet, it could make them sneeze and wheeze. What Are Common Asthma and Allergy Triggers In Valentine's Day Treats? Many popular Valentine’s Day gifts and activities...
If you have asthma, or live with someone who does, you need to know about respiratory infections. They affect the nose, sinuses, throat, and airways. They are a major cause of asthma symptoms and attacks. And some infections can lead to other serious conditions, like pneumonia. People with asthma and people close to them need to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses. Common respiratory infections include: The flu (influenza) COVID-19 (caused by the new coronavirus) Pneumococcal...
Updated 1/27: The new coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is still highly active through the U.S. Read the current recommendations for people with asthma including symptoms, wearing masks and effective disinfecting of surfaces.
