Nearly 28 million people in the United States have asthma, affecting about one in every 12 individuals. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) has released its annual Asthma Capitals report, which ranks the 100 most populated U.S. cities based on the difficulty of managing asthma.
Kenneth Mendez, president and CEO of the AAFA, emphasized that the report does not label cities as “bad” for asthma. Instead, it identifies factors that make living with the condition more challenging. He shared these insights with Fox News Digital via email.
The report assesses cities by examining the prevalence of asthma, the frequency of asthma-related emergency room visits, and asthma-related deaths. Cities that rank high typically show elevated rates in at least two of these areas. Mendez pointed out that high hospitalization and death rates indicate a lower quality of life for asthma patients in these locations.
Mendez also noted that a person’s living environment significantly affects their health. Factors such as social, economic, and environmental disadvantages contribute to disparities in asthma outcomes. The report considers various risk factors, including air quality, poverty, access to healthcare, tobacco policies, medication use, and health insurance coverage.
Top 20 Asthma Capitals
The AAFA has identified the following cities as the top “asthma capitals”:
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Rochester, New York
Detroit, Michigan
Springfield, Massachusetts
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cleveland, Ohio
Lakefield, Florida
Baltimore, Maryland
Charleston, South Carolina
Providence, Rhode Island
Fresno, California
Richmond, Virginia
Greenville, South Carolina
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Memphis, Tennessee
Spokane, Washington
St. Louis, Missouri
Poughkeepsie, New York
New York, New York
Columbus, Ohio
For a complete list of the top 100 asthma capitals, visit the AAFA’s website.
Tips for Managing Asthma in Challenging Locations
For individuals living in these asthma capitals, the AAFA offers several recommendations to help manage the condition:
Follow an Asthma Action Plan: This plan should detail medications, recognize worsening symptoms, and outline emergency steps.
Get Recommended Vaccines: Vaccinations for respiratory infections like the flu, COVID-19, and pneumonia can help control asthma symptoms.
Manage Allergies and Indoor Air Quality: Improving indoor air quality is crucial, as people spend about 90% of their time indoors. Using certified air cleaners and choosing low-allergen cleaning products can help.
Follow Infection Protection Protocols: Wearing masks in crowded places, practicing good hand hygiene, and avoiding sick individuals can reduce infection risk.
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Adequate rest, hydration, and a nutritious diet can improve asthma management.
Stay in Contact with an Asthma Specialist: Discussing treatment options with healthcare providers can help prevent asthma attacks and improve quality of life.
Mendez encourages patients to collaborate with their healthcare teams to find the best management strategies for their condition.
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