[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|on|on” admin_label=”Embargo” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” 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=”#692D87″ custom_padding=”4%|4%|4%|4%|true|true” dvmd_hsp_mode=”show” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” disabled=”on”]<\/p>\n
The 2026 Asthma Capitals Report is embargoed until Sept. 1, 2026, at 7 a.m. ET. If you have any questions, contact us at media@aafa.org<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=” Intro Content” module_class=”secondary-intro” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_font_size=”24px” text_line_height=”1.5em” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008c99″ header_2_font_size=”39px” custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The 2026 Asthma Capitals<\/a>\u00a0top 3 cities have significant asthma burden. People who live in these areas face higher risk of having asthma, asthma emergencies, or even asthma-related deaths.<\/p>\n AAFA’s data analysis finds that these cities are the most challenging for people with asthma:<\/p>\n The social and environmental influences, risk factors, and policies affecting these cities are detailed below.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”1. Allentown” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#28BDBA” header_2_font=”|700|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#28BDBA” border_color_all=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n Allentown returns as the #1 Asthma Capitals in 2026. Allentown was previously the #1 Asthma Capital in 2021, 2023, and 2024, and since 2019, the city has landed in the top 10 of 100 of AAFA\u2019s annual ranking.<\/p>\n Why does Allentown keep showing up at the top of AAFA\u2019s Asthma Capitals?<\/strong> Among the 100 city areas we analyzed, Allentown has:<\/p>\n Asthma is a major health concern for families due to air pollution across the Lehigh Valley, where Allentown is located. The area received an F rating due to the number of high particle pollution days.1<\/sup> Allentown\u2019s location along the busy I-78 and Route 22 corridors exposes residents to heavy traffic pollution, while nearby industrial activity adds to the burden.<\/p>\n Indoor air quality is a concern as well. Nearly 40% of homes in Allentown were built in 1939 or earlier. Older homes often have poor indoor air quality due to combustion pollutants (fireplaces, poor ventilation for gas appliances), lack of modern filtration, mold and mildew, and old building materials like asbestos and lead paint.<\/p>\n Allentown has smoke-free laws in workplaces and publicly owned multi-unit housing. However, the area does not have smoke-free laws in restaurants, bars, or cars with minors, which can further put the population at risk of harm from tobacco products.<\/p>\n The Empowering Asthma Self-Management and Education (EASE) Allentown program provides self-management education, virtual home assessments, and resources to help older adults living with asthma improve their quality of life. With funding from AAFA, the Health Promotion Council of Southeastern Pennsylvania (HPC) developed the EASE program in collaboration with the Allentown Health Bureau.<\/p>\n Learn more about joining the EASE program.<\/a><\/p>\n Pennsylvania Climate Emission Reduction (PACER) Program<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The PACER bill would establish a cap-and-invest program to set Pennsylvania\u2019s carbon limit and invest in reducing electricity costs. The program aims to protect and create energy jobs, lower electricity costs for Pennsylvanians, and take tangible action to address climate change. Savings from the program will be allocated to grant programs to support projects that eliminate air pollution and invest in clean energy solutions. This bill was introduced in 2025 and has not passed the Pennsylvania General Assembly yet.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”2. Detroit” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#28BDBA” header_2_font=”|700|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#28BDBA” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n Detroit is the #2 Asthma Capital in 2026, dropping down from #1 in 2025. For the past 10 years, the city has consistently landed near the top of AAFA\u2019s annual ranking.<\/p>\n Why does Detroit keep ranking as a top Asthma Capital?<\/strong> Of all cities analyzed for the Asthma Capitals, Detroit has:<\/p>\n Behind these numbers are important risk factors that make asthma harder to manage in Detroit:<\/p>\n AAFA\u2019s HEAL Detroit program \u2013 led by the AAFA Michigan Chapter delivers a holistic asthma management intervention \u2013 delivers a holistic asthma management intervention. The program includes:<\/p>\n Now in its 4th<\/sup> year, the program has expanded to provide patient education addressing additional topics, such as managing asthma when air quality is poor and staying up to date on vaccines to help prevent asthma complications (other health issues) due to respiratory infections.<\/p>\n Detroit residents interested in joining the HEAL Detroit program can find more information on the AAFA Michigan Chapter website<\/a>.<\/p>\n Most participants in AAFA\u2019s HEAL Detroit program report high social and financial barriers \u2013 59% are on Medicaid, and 51% have household incomes below $25,000 a year. Within just 6 months of being in the program, HEAL Detroit participants reported measurable improvements in asthma control, daily functioning, and quality of life:<\/p>\n These results show how targeted support for Detroit households are not only improving health outcomes today but also laying the groundwork for lasting community benefits.<\/p>\n But this progress is now at risk from the following actions:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”3. Rochester” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#28BDBA” header_2_font=”|700|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#28BDBA” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n Rochester has climbed steadily in the Asthma Capitals rankings, landing at #3 in 2026. The city has been in the top 20 of 100 since 2022 and landed at #2 in 2024 and 2025.<\/p>\n Why has Rochester rated so poorly as an Asthma Capital in the last few years?<\/strong> Risk factors that affect asthma rates in Rochester:<\/p>\n Asthma weighs especially heavy on children in Rochester. Jill Halterman, MD, MPH, and her team at the University of Rochester Medical Center developed the School-Based Asthma Therapy (SBAT) program in partnership with Rochester City School District. SBAT ensures that students with asthma get their daily control medicines while at school, supervised by a nurse or health aide.2<\/sup><\/p>\n The program has:<\/p>\n Building on its success, Rochester is testing new components with support from the National Institutes of Health.2<\/sup>\u00a0These include telemedicine support for children after emergency room visits, enhanced care for teens, and stronger connections with families.<\/p>\n Rochester\u2019s asthma burden is shaped by air pollution, poor housing, and climate change. For example, recent environmental challenges, like smoke from wildfires drifting across upstate New York, add to the asthma burden in the city.<\/p>\n Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act of 2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n New York State is investing heavily in clean energy and pollution reduction through the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, one of the most ambitious climate laws in the country. Policymakers and local advocates are exploring how these funds could improve air quality in cities like Rochester, reduce exposure to wildfire smoke, and provide resources for communities most affected by asthma.<\/p>\n Additionally, policymakers discussed other state-level initiatives and bills last year.<\/p>\n\n
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<\/h3>\nAllentown, Pennsylvania – #1 Asthma Capital in 2026<\/h2>\n
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Community Action: AAFA’s HEAL Allentown Program<\/h3>\n
Climate and Policy Solutions<\/h3>\n
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<\/h3>\nDetroit, Michigan \u2013 #2 Asthma Capital in 2026<\/h2>\n
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Community Action: AAFA’s HEAL Detroit Program<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Protecting Progress in Detroit<\/h3>\n
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<\/h3>\nRochester, New York \u2013 #3 Asthma Capital in 2026<\/h2>\n
Rochester has the highest asthma prevalence rate<\/strong>\u00a0of all 100 cities we studied.<\/p>\n\n
Community Action: Supporting Kids with Asthma in Rochester Schools<\/h3>\n
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Climate and Policy Solutions<\/h3>\n