The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI) announced on May 5 that they are visiting the U.S. Capitol to ask Congress to support more than 106 million Americans with asthma and allergic diseases.
The advocacy comes as part of World Asthma Day, highlighting the importance of policies that help people access treatment for these conditions. The groups said that nearly one in three people in the United States have asthma or allergies, including 28 million living with asthma.
“Nearly 1 out of 3 people in the U.S. have asthma and/or allergies – including 28 million people with asthma,” said Kenneth Mendez, president and CEO of AAFA. “Untreated asthma increases healthcare costs, results in lost productivity, and risks lives. Between 9 and 11 people die each day from asthma, and nearly all of those deaths are preventable with access to effective treatment. On this World Asthma Day, we call on policymakers to join with key stakeholders to ensure everyone with asthma can access and afford the care they need.”
AAAAI president Carla Davis said: “Asthma is a serious, and at times life-threatening, chronic disease that affects millions of patients every day. World Asthma Day offers an important opportunity to reflect on the very real impact this condition has on patients’ lives. I have asthma so I understand that improving outcomes requires a comprehensive approach—ensuring access to evidence-based care from trained specialists, effective and affordable medications, and to environments that minimize exposure to triggers such as air pollution. Each of these plays a critical role in helping everyone with asthma, including me, achieve better control of their disease.”
U.S. Representatives David Valadao (R-CA) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI), co-chairs of the House Asthma and Allergy Caucus, voiced support for policies aimed at improving education about these conditions as well as expanding access to medicines during May's designation as Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month.
Congresswoman Dingell said: “Allergies and asthma impact Americans from every corner of the country, including my home state of Michigan, which has some of the highest rates of asthma in the country. I’m proud to designate May as Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month to support increased education and efforts to improve the quality of life for Americans living with these conditions.” Congressman Valadao added: “In the Central Valley, more than half a million people are living with asthma... That’s why I’m proud to recognize May as Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month... I look forward to continuing work...to ensure families across the country can breathe a little easier.”
AAFA was founded in 1953 as a non-profit patient organization focused on saving lives through advocacy work supporting those affected by allergies or asthmatic diseases.
