Improving Your Asthma and Allergy Health

Experts from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and the Improving Pediatric Asthma Care in the District of Columbia (IMPACT DC) Asthma Clinic at Children’s National Hospital will talk about managing your asthma during the COVID-19 pandemic. RSVP now for our free webinar on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020, at 2 p.m. ET (11 a.m. PT). REGISTER NOW Our expert panel will discuss: Access to asthma health care during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in hardest-hit communities Asthma...

Ah, fall! Time for cozy jackets, colorful leaves, pumpkin spice lattes and … allergy medicine? If you’ve noticed the change in season also triggers allergy and asthma symptoms, you’re not alone. Just like spring, fall is a time when many people are seeking relief from their seasonal allergies . Common symptoms of seasonal allergies include: Runny nose and mucus Sneezing Itchy nose, eyes, ears and mouth Stuffy nose (nasal congestion) Red and watery eyes Swelling around the eyes Do You Live in...

Black, Hispanic and American Indian/Alaska Native people have the highest rates of asthma , hospital visits and asthma-related deaths. This has not changed since we first reported on it in 2005. It’s time to take bold steps to reduce disparities in asthma. Asthma Disparities in America Report Today, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) released its Asthma Disparities in America report. This report looks at how asthma affects Black, Hispanic and American Indian/Alaska Native...

Record-setting wildfires continue to rage across the western United States, putting millions of people with asthma at risk. The smoke and ash from the fires are polluting the air , creating unhealthy – even hazardous – air quality. This is a serious health emergency. What Do People With Asthma Need to Know About the Current Wildfires and Air Quality? The EPA’s AirNow.gov program measures and reports the air quality across the United States. Air quality is measured by the number of small...

Peter DeMarco of Boston, Massachusetts, lost his wife, Laura Levis, to asthma during Asthma Peak Week in 2016. In the essay below, Peter shares Laura's story, as well as some facts about Asthma Peak Week. If you have asthma, taking precautions can help prevent asthma episodes, attacks and hospitalizations in September.

Every September, asthma hospitalizations rise. Doctors see more people with asthma episodes and attacks. The third week of the month is the worst. It is called the September Asthma Epidemic or Asthma Peak Week. Everyone with asthma needs to be prepared.

The MedicAlert Foundation and Kenneth Mendez, CEO and president of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), hosted a webinar on how parents and school staff can prepare for the new school year. They answered questions and shared resources on how to create a school that is food allergy and asthma friendly while preventing the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 . Watch on YouTube Resources Asthma COVID-19 and Asthma Toolkit for Schools Helping Students Manage Asthma in School...

Creating asthma-friendly schools is an important part of keeping students and staff healthy. Our COVID-19 and Asthma Toolkit for Schools resource is a supplement to current district, state and federal reopening guidelines. It has resources to help schools better manage asthma and address the spread of the new coronavirus together.

We are currently in the peak of hurricane season, which goes from June 1 to Nov. 31. While preparing for a possible storm, people with asthma need to take extra precautions to reduce chances of an asthma episode or attack.

Even though COVID-19 will change how schools operate for the 2020-2021 school year, children with asthma and allergies need to have a school health care plan in place if they are returning to in-person learning. Physical distancing, extra hand-washing , face masks and coverings , and other school policies may impact your child’s care plan. What Is a School Health Care Plan? A school health care plan is a document (or set of documents) that outlines your child’s medical condition and how it...

Each year, wildfires rage across the U.S. They have already begun in California this year. Smoke in the air contains tiny particles that affect air quality. These particles can irritate your eyes, nose, throat and lungs. Poor air quality can worsen asthma symptoms . Children and those with respiratory disease like asthma are at high risk for asthma episodes when the air quality is poor. Wildfires do not only affect those in the immediate fire area. Smoke can blow many miles away and impact...

School staff and parents are dealing with many challenges this school year because of COVID-19 . Policies and procedures may affect students and staff with asthma and allergies. Join the MedicAlert Foundation and Kenneth Mendez, CEO and president of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), for a webinar on how parents and school staff can prepare for the new school year. RSVP now to join us for the MedicAlert LIVE Healthy Hour on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020, at 3:30 p.m. ET.