AAFA

AAFA's Advocacy for Health Equity Leads to White House Address on Asthma Inhaler Pricing

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, April 3, 2024

The White House invited AAFA President and CEO, Kenneth Mendez, and Jenna Riemenschneider, AAFA Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy, in recognition of the advocacy group’s work to advance health equity for people with asthma.

Key Points: 
  • The White House invited AAFA President and CEO, Kenneth Mendez, and Jenna Riemenschneider, AAFA Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy, in recognition of the advocacy group’s work to advance health equity for people with asthma.
  • “On behalf of the 27 million people in the United States with asthma, we appreciate the leadership of President Biden and Senator Sanders to bring down costs for asthma treatments.
  • Pricing announcements made in March by some manufacturers of inhalers will mean lower costs and improved access to asthma medicine for many people with asthma starting this June,” stated Mendez.
  • “Lower out-of-pocket costs have the potential to drastically improve asthma health outcomes.

AAFA Statement on EPA Cars Rule

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Washington, D.C., March 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) applauds a new rule by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that will drive America toward a future with zero vehicle emissions.

Key Points: 
  • Washington, D.C., March 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) applauds a new rule by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that will drive America toward a future with zero vehicle emissions.
  • The EPA announced final national pollution standards for passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty vehicles for model years 2027 through 2032 and beyond.
  • “Transportation-related emissions are a leading contributor to air pollution,” said Kenneth Mendez, president and CEO of AAFA.
  • By reducing emissions from cars and light trucks, the EPA’s new rule will improve the quality of life for the 27 million people in the United States with asthma.

AAFA Statement in Response to AstraZeneca Asthma Inhaler Cost Announcement

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 18, 2024

Washington, DC, March 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) welcomes efforts to make asthma medicines more affordable and accessible.

Key Points: 
  • Washington, DC, March 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) welcomes efforts to make asthma medicines more affordable and accessible.
  • AAFA continues to lead advocacy efforts to change the drug pricing ecosystem on behalf of the 27 million people in the United States with asthma.
  • "AAFA applauds AstraZeneca’s announcement to cap costs of asthma inhalers and urges other manufacturers to take similar steps to make medications more affordable and accessible,” said AAFA President and CEO Kenneth Mendez.
  • AAFA’s research indicates that when the cost of medicine becomes a barrier to treatment , people with asthma resort to rationing or simply discontinue use.

Report: Climate Change Makes Living with Allergies a Challenge

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, March 14, 2024

The top 20 Allergy Capitals™ for 2024 are:

Key Points: 
  • The top 20 Allergy Capitals™ for 2024 are:
    This year’s report again calls attention to the urgency of the climate crisis.
  • Due to climate change, growing seasons start earlier and last longer than they did just 30 years ago.
  • “Climate change fuels a perfect storm of conditions that make allergy season worse for people with pollen allergy,” said AAFA President and CEO Kenneth Mendez.
  • “Allergies are a common asthma trigger and lead to increased hospital visits for asthma during peak pollen seasons.”
    For information on preventing and treating allergies and asthma, visit aafa.org .

AAFA Statement on Asthma Inhaler Price Caps

Retrieved on: 
Friday, March 8, 2024

Boehringer Ingelheim announced it will cap out-of-pocket costs of its COPD and asthma inhaler portfolio at $35 per month for patients who have commercial insurance or no insurance.

Key Points: 
  • Boehringer Ingelheim announced it will cap out-of-pocket costs of its COPD and asthma inhaler portfolio at $35 per month for patients who have commercial insurance or no insurance.
  • “The announced price cap from Boehringer Ingelheim is a step toward improving access to essential asthma medicine and demonstrates that the voice of the asthma patient community is being heard,” states Kenneth Mendez, president and CEO of AAFA.
  • “AAFA will continue to advocate that all stakeholders in the drug pricing ecosystem take steps to improve affordability and access for life-saving medicines.”
    Last fall, AAFA shared patient stories and its Asthma Disparities in America report with the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee which then launched an investigation into the high price of asthma inhalers early this year.
  • In addition to pharmaceutical manufacturers, pharmacy benefit managers, insurance companies, employers, and federal policies all affect the final price paid for medicines.

Alen Air Purifiers are Transforming Home Health to Fight Rising Indoor Air Quality Dangers

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, March 7, 2024

The company’s education campaign focuses on pervasive health risks associated with poor indoor air quality.

Key Points: 
  • The company’s education campaign focuses on pervasive health risks associated with poor indoor air quality.
  • “The dangers of poor indoor air quality are not just invisible – they silently jeopardize our health, amplifying the risk of respiratory issues, allergies and long-term health complications,” said Alen CEO, Warburg Lee.
  • Alen air purifiers with HEPA fresh filtration capture fine particles, including ash, soot and VOCs, effectively removing them from the indoor air and reducing exposure to harmful pollutants and allergens like pollen, pet dander, and mold spores, providing symptom relief and improving overall indoor air quality.
  • Addressing these sources of indoor air pollution typically involves implementing strategies such as improving ventilation, using air purifiers with HEPA filters like Alen, and reducing or eliminating the use of products with harmful chemicals.

asthma & allergy friendly® Certification Program Honors Clients for Commitment to Innovation

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 6, 2024

WASHINGTON, March 6, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The asthma & allergy friendly® Certification Program has recognized the dedication and innovation of several of the Program's clients and called attention to products that help consumers create healthier indoor environments. The asthma & allergy friendly® Certification Program is a collaborative initiative between Allergy Standards Limited (ASL) and the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) that helps consumers identify products more suitable for people with asthma and allergies.

Key Points: 
  • The asthma & allergy friendly® Certification Program, which helps consumers identify products more suitable for people with asthma and allergies, has recognized the dedication and innovation of several of the Program's CERTIFIED clients.
  • WASHINGTON, March 6, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The asthma & allergy friendly® Certification Program has recognized the dedication and innovation of several of the Program's clients and called attention to products that help consumers create healthier indoor environments.
  • The asthma & allergy friendly® Certification Program is a collaborative initiative between Allergy Standards Limited (ASL) and the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) that helps consumers identify products more suitable for people with asthma and allergies.
  • The Healthy Homes exhibit highlighted how consumers can manage asthma and allergy triggers through a whole-home approach, including using the asthma & allergy friendly® Certification Mark as a trusted signpost.

FDA Approves Xolair as First and Only Medicine for Children and Adults With One or More Food Allergies

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 16, 2024

People taking Xolair for food allergies should continue to avoid all foods they are allergic to (commonly referred to as “food allergen avoidance”).

Key Points: 
  • People taking Xolair for food allergies should continue to avoid all foods they are allergic to (commonly referred to as “food allergen avoidance”).
  • Immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated food allergies are the most common type and are typically characterized by the rapid onset of symptoms following exposure to certain food allergens.
  • Xolair is the first and only FDA-approved medicine to reduce allergic reactions in people with one or more food allergies.
  • About 3.4 million children and 13.6 million adults in the U.S. have been diagnosed with IgE-mediated food allergies, based on estimates for 2024.

FDA approves Xolair® (omalizumab) as first and only medicine for children and adults with one or more food allergies

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 16, 2024

People taking Xolair for food allergies should continue to avoid all foods they are allergic to (commonly referred to as "food allergen avoidance").

Key Points: 
  • People taking Xolair for food allergies should continue to avoid all foods they are allergic to (commonly referred to as "food allergen avoidance").
  • Immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated food allergies are the most common type and are typically characterized by the rapid onset of symptoms following exposure to certain food allergens3.
  • Xolair is the first and only FDA-approved medicine to reduce allergic reactions in people with one or more food allergies.
  • "Given the growing prevalence of food allergies, this news offers hope to the many children and adults who may benefit from a new way to help manage their food allergies."

AAFA Statement on Uber Eats Super Bowl Ad

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 8, 2024

Washington, DC, Feb. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) issued the following statement which may be attributed to Kenneth Mendez, president and CEO:

Key Points: 
  • Washington, DC, Feb. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) issued the following statement which may be attributed to Kenneth Mendez, president and CEO:
    On behalf of the more than 20 million people in the United States with food allergies, AAFA is disappointed that Uber Eats chose to make light of a serious condition in their “Don’t Forget Uber Eats” campaign ahead of the Super Bowl.
  • People with food allergies must take great care to ensure they don’t accidentally eat their food allergens.
  • This can make eating out or ordering food online challenging if restaurants and apps don’t clearly label food allergens for consumers.
  • AAFA urges Uber Eats to assess how they can be a better friend and ally to the millions of consumers with medical dietary restrictions.