AAFA Advocacy Drives Policy Change
AAFA's Asthma Capitals™ report not only highlights the factors that make living with asthma more challenging, but also helps drive an agenda that leads to policy change.
On issues such as air pollution, access to medicine, and health equity, you've helped AAFA make a difference.
Air Pollution
Poor air quality can negatively affect everyone’s health. Research shows that air pollution can make asthma worse and trigger asthma symptoms.
AAFA’s long-term advocacy for regulations to reduce carbon emissions got results this year in the form of new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules on vehicle emissions that go into effect for the 2027 model year.
These new rules will mean cleaner, healthier air and reduced exposure to a common asthma trigger.
Access to Medicine
In previous research conducted by AAFA, people cited the cost of asthma medicines and the lack of health insurance coverage as reasons for not taking prescribed treatments.
This year, in part as a result of AAFA’s work with the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, several major manufacturers announced $35-a-month price caps on their asthma inhalers.
Health Equity
The Asthma Capitals report acknowledges that where a person lives can significantly impact their health. Social, economic, and environmental disadvantages play a role in determining asthma outcomes. Many of the top Asthma Capitals face major challenges and inequities that lead to health inequity.
Through AAFA's Health Equity, Advancement, and Leadership (HEAL) program, we are supporting the Allentown community (this year's #1 Asthma Capital) with developing and launching the EASE Allentown: Empowering Asthma Self-Management and Education program.
The goal is to develop a community-based asthma management program and outreach campaign focused on older adults with asthma.
Read our Asthma Capitals report to learn more about ways to bring about positive policy change for people with asthma.
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