The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), America’s leading advocate for individuals living with asthma, food allergies and allergic disease, today announced the addition of ten influential healthcare leaders to their Board of Directors. New members bring to AAFA additional expertise in advocacy, public policy, the pharmaceutical and payer industries, modern communications and the use of healthcare data analytics.
What is it like to have food allergies, asthma, or nasal allergies? What do patients need and want from their treatments? How can we improve allergy care? The chief executive officer of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America spoke about these issues at a recent FDA advisory committee meeting. Dr. Cary Sennett spoke to the Allergenic Products Committee about the everyday challenges of life with food allergies, asthma and other allergies. Dr. Sennett attended the meeting to represent...
Proposed regulations introduced by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) could dramatically limit patient access to allergen immunotherapy (allergy shots). If these new regulations go into effect, allergists would unlikely be able to continue to mix allergen extracts for their patients. The result may limit timelines of allergy shot treatment. The insurance coverage of this treatment may also be restricted. What can I do to prevent these regulations from going into effect? The American...
A study of 910 Finnish children showed a link between diet at a young age and the risk of developing asthma. Out of the 910 children, 182 had asthma. The rest were part of a control group. Researchers looked at 3-day food diaries of the children. The results indicated that limiting cow’s milk because of dairy allergy “significantly increases and mediates the association between food consumption and childhood asthma risk.” The study looked at what children ate early in life...
Usually, we reward Good Samaritans coming to the aid of another human being who is sick - not punish them.
Patients should have access to new, life-saving and life-enhancing treatments for asthma and allergies. We are proud to announce: AAFA’s CEO, Dr. Cary Sennett, will be advocating on your behalf to state insurance commissioners. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners is the professional association for the regulators within each U.S. state and territory who establish and monitor the standards for healthcare insurance programs. They chose Dr. Sennett to represent the...
Good news, New Jersey! Governor Christie has signed a bill into law expanding access to epinephrine auto-injectors in public places. What does this mean for you? Under the law, a person who has completed a training program will be allowed to give epinephrine to anyone experiencing a severe allergic reaction, or anaphylaxis . Certain public places and businesses (such as restaurants, amusement parks, theaters, camps, etc.) will be allowed to have auto-injectors available for allergy...
The New York City Council is considering the Asthma-Free Housing Act of 2015 We know the environment can play a strong role in our health. But for patients with chronic conditions like asthma, a healthy indoor setting is critical. Indoor health hazards can all be asthma triggers . These hazards include mold, dust and pests (cockroaches, dust mites). Healthy indoor settings are a vital part of managing and controlling asthma. In large urban cities, older buildings and housing issues can often...
For Melissa, asthma and allergies have become a struggle that her family faces every day. Her older son, Daniel, was diagnosed with severe asthma and 72 environmental allergies at an early age.
By Cary Sennett, MD, PhD AAFA’s president and CEO, Dr. Cary Sennett, wrote these comments in response to a study published this week in the Journal Pediatrics. A study released this week (December 28 th ) by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that there is good news: after years of increase, the prevalence of asthma in children appears to be falling. Why that is so—and whether this is the beginning of a trend, or an anomaly—remains to be...
Congress has introduced important legislation to improve the way manufacturers label food allergens! The Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2015 (HR 4061) would also add sesame to the list of major food allergens. Currently, only eight allergens - milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soy - must be listed on food labels. Sesame seeds and oil are used as ingredients in many common foods, but are often vaguely labeled as "spices" or "natural seasoning". Adding...
Some canisters may not contain sufficient propellant to deliver the labeled claim of 200 actuations through the end of shelf life.
Look for this mark on a package, so you know that product is scientifically proven to be more suitable for those with asthma and allergies.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Fluad, the first seasonal influenza vaccine containing an adjuvant.
AAFA's new web platforms are designed with a fresh, clean and user-friendly design.
