Asthma Capitals

Asthma is greatly influenced by where someone lives. People who have affordable and accessible health care, clean air, and economic stability have a greater chance of managing and controlling their asthma. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s (AAFA) Asthma Capitals™ report ranks the largest 100 cities in the contiguous (“lower 48”) U.S. by how challenging they are to live in when you have asthma. AAFA publishes this report to show the nationwide burden of asthma. It is a call to action to help the nearly 28 million people in the U.S. with asthma.

2024 Asthma Capitals: Full Report

The Asthma Capitals report ranking is based on 3 health outcomes:

• Asthma prevalence
• Emergency department visits for asthma
• Deaths due to asthma

The report also discusses risk factors that contribute to these outcomes:

• Poverty
• Air quality
• Access to specialist medical care
• Pollen allergy
• Medicine use
• Tobacco policies
• Lack of health insurance

September Asthma Peak

AAFA’s Asthma Capitals report is released during September to raise awareness of the spike in asthma-related attacks and hospital stays that happen each September. It is known as Asthma Peak Month, or the September Asthma Epidemic. The 3rd week of the month – known as Asthma Peak Week – is often the worst.

People with asthma are exposed to several triggers at once during September, such as:

• Higher ragweed pollen
• Higher mold counts
• Respiratory illnesses
• Poor indoor air quality in schools
• Wildfire-related air pollution
• Extreme weather events such as hurricanes, heat waves, and extreme thunderstorms

If you’d like to work on an Asthma Peak Week resolution for your state, contact gro.afaa@ycacovda. AAFA has also included sample language in the report.

The top 10 most challenging places to live with asthma are:

Report Highlights

It is AAFA’s goal that the 2024 Asthma Capitals report inspires action. Reduced asthma rates and deaths are possible. And this report highlights where we can focus our efforts for healthier environments and communities. This year’s report includes:

• Sample resolutions for designating “Asthma Peak Week” and “Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month” in your state
• A toolkit to help advocates champion better policies for people living with asthma
• A spotlight on policies to support better access to asthma medicines and asthma care
• An update on the work AAFA is supporting to address asthma disparities in local communities—including in Allentown, the #1 Asthma Capital for the second year in a row

Reducing Health Disparities in Allentown, Pennsylvania

This report acknowledges that where a person lives can greatly impact their health. Social, economic, and environmental factors play a role in asthma outcomes. Many of the top Asthma Capitals are also facing major challenges and inequities that lead to health disparities.

AAFA’s Health Equity Advancement and Leadership (HEAL) program reinforces AAFA’s commitment to drastically reduce health disparities in communities that bear the heaviest burden of asthma. Through the HEAL program, AAFA provides funding and resources to local pilot programs tailored to at-risk populations most impacted by asthma.

For this year’s Asthma Capitals report, we highlight the newest HEAL program location in Allentown, Pennsylvania – the #1 Asthma Capital 2 years in a row. This project will be led by the Health Promotion Council of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Inc. (HPC), a subsidiary of Public Health Management Corporation, in collaboration with local partners.

The goal is to develop a community-based asthma management program and outreach campaign focused on older adults with asthma. The project will expand current programs for older adults living with chronic health conditions, including asthma, and build new referral pipelines with local partners.

Learn more about health equity and the HEAL program in our report.

Access to Asthma Medicines and Care

People with asthma need health insurance they can afford that covers all necessary medicines and devices. This is critical for asthma management and overall health.

Access to affordable insurance and medicine not only supports better health outcomes but also empowers people to lead active, fulfilling lives without the burden of high medical costs.

AAFA advocates for:

• Access to health coverage with meaningful drug coverage
• Reducing barriers caused by “utilization management”
• Transparent and affordable drug pricing

Our report outlines ways access to asthma medicines and care can improve asthma outcomes. See our report to learn more.

Taking Action Through Advocacy and Policy

Advocacy is a critical part of AAFA’s mission to save lives and reduce the burden of disease for people with asthma, allergies, and related diseases. AAFA is calling on our community to join us in these advocacy efforts – including at the state and local levels.

This report outlines major risk factors that impact asthma outcomes, as well as racial and ethnic disparities in those outcomes. There is no single policy solution to address the issues the asthma community faces. Because of this, AAFA supports a “health in all policies” approach that recognizes that policy decisions in all sectors – including health, education, environment, labor, housing, social services, and city planning – affect health.

Your voice is critical to help build awareness in your community and to educate your elected officials who can lead change. In this report, we’ve included:

• Tips for identifying and contacting your state legislators
• Tips for requesting a meeting with your legislators
• Tips for communicating and advocating effectively
• Sample letter to send to your legislator
• Sample Asthma Peak Week and Asthma and Allergy Awareness resolutions for states

Learn more about how you can advocate for people with asthma and allergies in our report.