What's New with AAFA

Asthma is one of the most common medical problems that occurs during pregnancy. It can be potentially serious. Asthma can get worse during pregnancy and lead to problems like high blood pressure, early labor and delivery, and low birth weight. Asthma can even cause death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tracks pregnancy-related deaths (from any cause) in the United States in a system called the Pregnancy Mortality Surveillance System (PMSS) . The rate of maternal deaths...

Update as of March 2, 2021: Advocacy Action Alert! Ask your representatives to support the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act. Use our simple tool at the bottom of this blog post to email a letter or share your message on Twitter. 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.

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...

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...

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...

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.

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.

The countdown to Inauguration Day has begun. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) has joined 32 patient groups to represent millions of people with pre-existing conditions. We are urging lawmakers to spend their first 100 days in office working to make sure people have access to high-quality, affordable health coverage. “ The 100 Days Agenda: A Patient-First Blueprint ” outlines specific steps the president and other elected officials can take to protect patients. The first...

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) is conducting a survey to learn more about the products you buy for your family and how they impact your homes’ health. We want to hear your thoughts about product claims and your experience with CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly® products and services. Take our quick survey to let us know how you shop for home products. The survey should take 15 minutes or less to complete. TAKE THE SURVEY NOW Take the survey by Nov. 5, 2020, at...

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) is spearheading yet another new venture geared toward improving health outcomes for our nation’s most at-risk groups affected by asthma. These groups include Black, Hispanic and Indigenous Americans, senior adults, expectant mothers, children with asthma, and our nation’s military who have developed asthma while in service.