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Washington D.C., September 10, 2024 \u2014 Today, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) released its 2024 Asthma Capitals\u2122 report highlighting the most challenging cities for people with asthma. The report analyzes data from the 100 most populous cities in the contiguous United States to determine a city\u2019s ranking. For the second year in a row, Allentown, PA<\/strong> took the top spot.<\/p>\n The report uses three criteria to determine a city\u2019s ranking: asthma prevalence, asthma-related emergency department (ED) visits, and deaths due to asthma. Risk factors that impact these criteria include poverty, air quality, access to specialist medical care, pollen allergy, medicine use, tobacco policies, and lack of health insurance.<\/p>\n The top 20 Asthma Capitals\u2122 for 2024 are: 1. Allentown, PA [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|700|||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”|||29px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n 8. Baltmore, MD [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|700|||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”|||30px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n 15. Memphis, TN [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”Content Row” module_class=”blog-single” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Post Content” module_class=”secondary-intro” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_line_height=”1.5em” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008c99″ header_2_font_size=”39px” custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Allentown is the most challenging city in the U.S. to live with asthma due to its higher-than-average asthma prevalence and higher-than-average ED visits for asthma.\u00a0 To see the complete, 100-city list ranking visit asthmacapitals.com<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n \u201cNearly 28 million people in the United States have asthma,\u201d said Kenneth Mendez, president and CEO of AAFA. \u201cFor people with asthma, this report makes clear that where they live plays a significant role in their quality of life. Federal, state, and local policymakers should use this report as a guide to address climate change, indoor air quality, and access to medical care. Addressing these issues can go a long way to help improve the lives of people with asthma.\u201d<\/p>\n In addition to the rankings, this year\u2019s report includes:<\/p>\n \u201cThis year\u2019s Asthma Capitals report highlights the persistence of inequity in our nation\u2019s healthcare system,\u201d said Melanie Carver, chief mission officer at AAFA. \u201cWe continue to see cities with high levels of poverty disproportionately bear the burden of environmental injustice. Climate change undeniably impacts all of us, but policymakers should note the conditions that foster the worst asthma outcomes: structural racism, high exposure to air pollution, and inadequate healthcare.\u201d<\/p>\n The release of the Asthma Capitals report comes during September, also known as Asthma Peak Month, because this time of year has more hospitalizations due to asthma than any other month. \u00a0A combination of factors including respiratory infections, ragweed pollen, and poor indoor air quality in schools leads to the annual surge. Doctors say the report offers an important reminder to take action now to help manage asthma symptoms.<\/p>\n \u201cSeptember is one of the busiest months in my office as a number of conditions combine to make asthma symptoms worse,\u201d said Dr. Neeta Ogden, an allergist and immunologist practicing in New Jersey. \u201cThis report from AAFA helps explain how factors such as air pollution, climate change, and indoor air quality all impact people with asthma. Now is the time to start working with your doctor to develop a plan to ensure your asthma is well-managed and controlled.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Press Contact” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ link_font=”||||on|||#008c99|” link_text_color=”#008c99″ header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008c99″ header_2_font_size=”39px” header_3_font=”|600|||||||” header_3_text_align=”left” header_3_text_color=”#008c99″ header_3_font_size=”28px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Press Contact:<\/strong> [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”About AAFA” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ link_font=”||||on|||#008c99|” link_text_color=”#008c99″ link_line_height=”1.7em” ul_line_height=”1.7em” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008c99″ header_2_font_size=”39px” header_3_font=”|600|||||||” header_3_text_align=”left” header_3_text_color=”#008c99″ header_3_font_size=”28px” background_color=”#F5EDDF” custom_padding=”4%|4%|4%|4%|true|true” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n About the Research<\/strong><\/p>\n AAFA publishes the Asthma Capitals\u2122 report to raise awareness about the nationwide impacts of asthma. The report analyzes data from across the contiguous United States and ranks the 100 largest cities where it is challenging to live with asthma. The report ranks cities by the most critical of health outcomes \u2013 asthma prevalence, emergency department visits due to asthma attacks, and asthma mortality. The outcomes are not weighted equally. The report also examines asthma risk factors that influence the outcomes. Visit asthmacapitals.com<\/a> to see the full list of 100 cities, methodology, and to learn more about asthma management.<\/p>\n The 2024 Asthma Capitals report is an independent research project of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America and made possible by support from Amgen, Sanofi, and Regeneron.<\/em><\/p>\n About AAFA<\/strong><\/p>\n Founded in 1953, AAFA is the oldest and largest non-profit patient organization dedicated to saving lives and reducing the burden of disease for people with asthma, allergies, and related conditions through research, education, advocacy, and support. AAFA offers extensive support for individuals and families affected by asthma and allergic diseases, such as food allergies and atopic dermatitis (eczema). Through its online patient support communities, network of regional chapters, and collaborations with community-based groups, AAFA empowers patients and their families by providing practical, evidence-based information and community programs and services. AAFA is the only asthma and allergy patient advocacy group that is certified to meet the standards of excellence set by the National Health Council. For more information, visit: aafa.org<\/a> and asthmacapitals.com<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" NewsAAFA\u2019s 2024 Asthma Capitals\u2122 reveals factors that make living with asthma worse, offers tips for improved asthma management Washington D.C., September 10, 2024 \u2014 Today, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":21139,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21136","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-press-releases"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ module_class=”blog-single” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#008C99″ custom_margin=”||2%||false|false” custom_padding=”2%||2%||true|false” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|700|||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”|||30px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
2. Rochester, NY
3. Detroit, MI
4. Springfield, MA
5. Philadelphia, PA
6. Cleveland, OH
7. Lakeland, FL<\/p>\n
9. Charleston, SC
10. Providence, RI
11. Fresno, CA
12. Richmond, VA
13. Greenville, SC
14. Harrisburg, PA<\/p>\n
16. Spokane, WA
17. St. Louis, MO
18. Poughkeepsie, NY
19. New York, NY
20. Columbus, OH<\/p>\n![\"2024](\"https:\/\/aafa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/2024-asthma-capitals-top-10-map-SM.jpg\")
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Andy Spears
Public Affairs Manager
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA)
media@aafa.org<\/p>\n