Tagged With "Black Americans"
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Re: Emotional Support Animals on Planes: AAFA Submits Comment to the DOT
I agree that in terms of disabilities, those that are life-threatening are more serious than, per se, anxiety while flying. I am a tremendously anxious flyer so I empathize greatly with people who'd prefer to fly with their pets for comfort. However, the fact that an animal's hair could literally kill one of the millions of Americans with severe allergic asthma should mean animals on flights should be restricted as much as possible. Service pets for people who are blind or have...
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Cleaning Your Hands With Soap Vs. Hand Sanitizer: What Is Best to Protect Yourself From COVID-19 and Other Illnesses?
Keeping your hands clean is one of the easiest ways to reduce the spread of the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19 . It can also help help protect you from flu, colds and other respiratory infections . It also helps prevent foodborne illnesses (such as salmonella) while cooking. One study shows people touch their faces on an average of 23 times an hour. 1 Your hands come in contact with many germs, and when you touch your face, you increase your chances of getting sick. Keeping them clean...
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FDA Accepts Biologics License Application for Xolair® Prefilled Syringe for Self-Administration
Novartis today announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted the company's supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for a new self-administration option for Xolair® (omalizumab) across all approved US indications. If approved, Xolair prefilled syringe would become available for either self-administration by select patients or administration by their caregivers.
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Asthma Disparities in America: It’s Time for Real and Lasting Change
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...
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Flu Facts: Flu Vaccine and Asthma
Fall brings us cooler weather, colorful trees and harvest fairs and festivals. But it also brings us the beginning of flu season. Since the flu season lasts from about October to May – and peaks between December to February – you need to do all you can to protect yourself against the flu, especially if you have asthma.
But many people avoid the flu vaccine because they have some concerns about the safety of the vaccine or need for the vaccine.
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Re: These Symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis Can Be the Most Frustrating
Hi @StuffywithCare , thanks for your blog comment! It's possible that there is a connection. Have you mentioned his sleep issues to his doctor? Here's an article from the American Academy of Dermatology that may answer some of your questions. Although the article is targeted to parents of small children, the information is relevant for anyone with eczema. The article also mentions, " When eczema itches, it can keep a child awake or wake the child from a sound sleep." What Can Help a Child...
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AAFA Releases 2019 State Honor Roll Report in Advance of Asthma Peak Week
Schools provide valuable education to students. But the very resource that is supposed to benefit our children can actually be a cause of asthma symptoms and allergic reactions. Some states have policies in place that protect children with asthma and allergies. These 15 states made our 2019 State Honor Roll™ of Asthma and Allergy Policies for Schools (SHR). See how your state ranks.
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Learn With AAFA Alaska at 11th Annual Asthma & Allergy Conference
Are you a school nurse or a doctor? Make plans to attend the 11th annual asthma and allergy conference of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America - Alaska Chapter (AAFA-AK) . AAFA-AK is holding Wheezin', Sneezin' & Itchin' in Alaska at the Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, AK, September 9-10, 2016. For details or to register, see: http://conference.aafaalaska.com/ . Presenters will discuss the latest in research and best practices in asthma, allergy, and immunology. Session topics...
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Leading Patient Advocacy Organizations Join Forces to Launch National Program Aimed at Raising Awareness of Severe Form of Asthma
Allergy & Asthma Network (AAN) and the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) today announced the launch of Be the Boss of Your Asthma, a national educational program that aims to raise awareness of severe eosinophilic asthma – or S.E.A. – a serious and often hard-to-control form of asthma.
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Video: Learn More About Asthma and Fragrances in Cleaning Products
Kafi Drexel Brown, AAFA’s Public Relations Director, will talk about asthma and scents during the virtual Discover Cleaning Summit. The event will be hosted by Good Housekeeping and the American Cleaning Institute on Oct. 14, 2020, from 9 a.m. to noon ET.
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Asthma Impacts on American Indian/Alaska Native People
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America report on Asthma Disparities in America looks at the burden of asthma on racial/ethnic groups in the United States. Health disparities are preventable health differences between groups of people. Health disparities are higher burdens of illness or death linked to social, economic, and environmental disadvantages. For example, if one group of people has a higher rate of asthma than another group of people, it is an asthma disparity. This month is...
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It Never Should Have Happened: Recognizing Racial Bias in Asthma Could Have Saved Valerie’s Husband
On Sept. 16, 2020, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) released our Asthma Disparities in America report. This report looks at how asthma affects Black, Hispanic and American Indian/Alaska Native groups in the United States. After coming across this report, Valerie Vison reached out to share her story. In the essay below, you’ll hear from Valerie, who lost her husband, Jordan, to asthma on July 22. In a World of “What If” – Could Racial Bias Have Contributed to My 30-Year-Old...
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It’s OFFICIAL: Huge AAFA Advocacy Victory! School-Based Allergies and Asthma Management Program Act, H.R. 2468 Becomes Law
New law will protect students with asthma and allergies!
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AAFA CEO and President Testifies in Support of Protections for School Children With Asthma and Food Allergies
On Jan. 8, 2020, Kenneth Mendez, CEO and president of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), spoke before members of the U.S. House of Representatives about the need for protections for school children with asthma and food allergies.
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Asthma and Black Americans: A Closer Look at Disparities and Solutions For Change
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.
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Coronavirus (COVID-19): What People With Asthma Need to Know
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.
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Town Hall: Black Americans and the COVID-19 Vaccine
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...
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Tips for Coping With Spring Allergies
After a long, cold winter, nothing feels better than spending time outside in the warm spring sun – unless you have allergies. Follow these tips to manage your spring pollen allergies.
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5 Things You May Not Know About Ragweed Pollen Allergy
If you live in the U.S., you’re probably starting to feel the effects of ragweed pollen. Ragweed pollen allergy is one of the most common weed allergies. Its light pollen easily spreads far and wide, causing people with nasal and allergic asthma symptoms to feel miserable each fall.
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AAFA Advocacy Recap and What’s Next in 2021
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...
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Health Care Disparities in the Asthma and Allergy Community (Videos and Resources)
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...
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AAFA Honors Black History Month With a Focus on Health Equity
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...
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AAFA Supports Bills Aimed at Saving and Improving the Lives of Black Mothers
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.
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Re: AAFA Supports Bills Aimed at Saving and Improving the Lives of Black Mothers
I am not black but I had no support in the workplace during pregnancy, and my (now-ex) child's father only stole from me in that yi e period. I became ill, but worked until two days before I gave birth, used all my vacation days for the first 2 weeks after, actually had to bring my infant to work in my office after that, taking breaks to breast feed, and I got really sick during pregnancy and after. I had developed severe asthma during pregnancy, and then had a heart attack caused by a...
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Ultraviolet Environmental Treatment Could Help Children With Mild-Moderate Asthma
Research to be presented at the 2021 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) Virtual Annual Meeting suggests that installing ultraviolet irradiation units into the homes of children with asthma may reduce asthma severity and improve asthma control.
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Wearing a Face Mask to Reduce the Spread of COVID-19 Does Not Affect Oxygen Levels
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.
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AAFA's Experts Help FDA and NIH Address Safety of Asthma Medications During Pregnancy and Lactation
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...
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Managing Asthma at School During the COVID-19 Pandemic
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.
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Cleaning When You Have Asthma: The Dirty Truth
When you have asthma, how you clean your home is an important part of asthma control. You want to reduce or remove allergens and triggers like mold, pests, dust mites, and animal dander. A multi-part cleaning plan will be most effective.
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AAFA Teams With OMRON Healthcare to Provide Nebulizers to Vulnerable Patients With Asthma
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) is working with OMRON Healthcare to distribute medical-grade nebulizers and expand access to asthma management technology to underserved communities nationwide through AAFA's regional chapters . We appreciate Omron's support of AAFA's mission to address health disparities across the U.S . PRESS RELEASE OMRON Healthcare, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) Join Together to Provide More Respiratory Medical Care to Underserved...
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Clean Indoor Air in Schools Helps Students Stay Healthy and Learn Better
This year’s National Healthy Schools Day comes at a critical juncture: the nation is working to recover and stabilize from the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, reopen all schools, and address the growing crisis caused by climate impacts – impacts that hit the most disadvantaged communities and their schools the hardest.