Asthma & Allergy Month

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America declares May to be “National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month.”  The EPA has developed resources for event organizers to use in educating the public about how to recognize and prevent allergy and asthma triggers and how to treat these asthma and allergic reactions.  You can even see Asthma Awareness events in your area by clicking here.

Asthma and allergy symptoms are particularly apparent at this time of year when pollen is at a yearly high and when the trees are coming into full bloom.  Some other asthma triggers, as outlined by the EPA include:  Indoor and outdoor environmental factors like: dust mites, molds, cockroaches, pet dander, and secondhand smoke.  The EPA says, though, that asthma can be controlled “with a plan that includes medicine and control of environmental triggers” and that “people with asthma can lead healthy, active lives.”  Indoor air quality can be greatly improved by removing environmental triggers with proper ventilation in the kitchen and in the bathroom, and also by using a whole house HEPA air purifier.

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of American, the top 5 Spring Allergy Capitals in the US are:

1. Louisville, KY
2. Knoxville, TN
3. Charlotte, NC
4. Madison, WI
5. Wichita, KS

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America calculates the top 100 Spring Allergy Capitals each year by taking into account:  pollen scores (airborne grass/tree/weed pollen and mold spores), number of allergy medications used per patient, and number of allergy specialists per patient.  

The top 5 Asthma Capitals in the US for 2009 are:

1.   St. Louis, MO
2.   Milwaukee, WI
3.   Birmingham, AL
4.   Chattanooga, TN
5.   Charlotte, NC

These are calculated each year by taking into account:  prevalence factors – morbidity and mortality statistics, risk factors – air quality, pollen, "100% smoke-free" laws, poverty and more, and medical factors – medication usage and access to specialists.