Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) is a U.S. nonprofit patient community and advocacy organization serving people with asthma, allergies, food allergies, atopic dermatitis, and related allergic diseases. Founded in New York in 1953 by three allergists, the organization began as a means of raising money for educational work and research into asthma and allergic conditions. It has since developed into a national patient-centered organization whose work combines public education, community support, research, and policy advocacy. AAFA describes itself as the oldest asthma and allergy patient group in the world. During the 1980s and 1990s, it shifted more decisively toward a patient-centered model and moved to Washington, D.C., seeking greater national policy influence and stronger support for government-backed research involving allergies and immune diseases. In 2013, AAFA merged with Kids with Food Allergies, extending its services to families raising children with food allergies and incorporating a substantial food-allergy support community into its broader work. The organization’s education programs serve patients, caregivers, educators, and health care professionals. AAFA produces printed and digital materials, online resources, courses, newsletters, magazines, practical tools, and Spanish-language resources. Its information work addresses disease management, medication and treatment questions, environmental triggers, food-allergy safety, eczema, emergency preparedness, and day-to-day quality-of-life issues. AAFA also designates May as National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, using the period to increase public attention to allergic disease and asthma. Advocacy is another central part of AAFA’s identity. The organization supports policies concerning access to health care and medicines, climate and health, food allergies, healthy indoor and outdoor environments, health disparities, health equity, and federal support for programs and research relevant to asthma and allergic disease. Its Washington presence supports engagement with policymakers and federal agencies, while its local chapters and community partners connect national priorities with patient needs. AAFA’s research activities include conducting and promoting studies, developing reports, supporting improved treatments and possible cures, encouraging advanced training in allergy and immunology, and increasing patient participation in research. Its public reports include the annual Allergy Capitals and Asthma Capitals rankings and the Asthma Disparities in America report. These publications combine public-facing communication with an emphasis on environmental conditions, unequal disease burdens, and the practical experiences of affected communities. Community support is delivered through online patient communities, educational support groups, regional chapters, and collaborations with community-based organizations. AAFA has regional chapters in Alaska, Michigan, New England, and St. Louis. Through volunteers, health professionals, and local leaders, the chapters provide information, programs, and emotional support. The organization also maintains food-allergy community resources associated with Kids with Food Allergies. AAFA is funded through individual donations and fundraising, federal agencies, pharmaceutical and corporate support, and its asthma & allergy friendly Certification Program. The organization states that it is the only asthma and allergy patient advocacy group certified under the National Health Council’s standards of excellence program, a distinction associated with accountability and ethical operating practices. Its present role is therefore broader than that of a traditional disease charity: AAFA functions as an information provider, patient community, advocacy voice, research participant, and convening organization for people living with asthma and allergic diseases.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America was established in 1953 in New York by three allergists who wanted to create an organization capable of raising funds for asthma and allergy education and research. Its early purpose was closely connected to the medical community, but the organization gradually expanded its role beyond research fundraising to provide practical information and support for people living with chronic respiratory and allergic conditions. In the 1980s and 1990s, AAFA adopted a more explicitly patient-centered orientation. This change reflected a broader understanding that people with asthma and allergies needed not only scientific progress but also accessible information, peer support, help navigating treatment, and a voice in public policy. During this period the organization moved to Washington, D.C., allowing it to engage more directly with federal policymakers and national research institutions. Its policy work increasingly addressed access to care and medication, public-health funding, environmental triggers, and the unequal burden of asthma and allergic disease. AAFA’s service scope broadened as public awareness of allergic diseases grew. Alongside asthma, the organization addressed allergic rhinitis and other allergies, food allergies, atopic dermatitis, and related conditions. It developed educational publications, digital resources, newsletters, courses, support groups, and community programs for patients, families, caregivers, and health professionals. It also established or supported public-awareness activity around National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month in May. A major organizational development occurred in 2013, when AAFA merged with Kids with Food Allergies (KFA). The combination strengthened AAFA’s ability to serve families of children with food allergies and added KFA’s food-allergy community resources to the foundation’s wider asthma and allergy mission. Food-allergy education, family support, and online community services subsequently became an important part of AAFA’s public-facing work. Research and reporting have remained core activities. AAFA promotes research intended to improve understanding, prevention, treatment, and eventual cures for asthma and allergic diseases. It also seeks to improve patient involvement in research and supports advanced training in allergy and immunology. Its Allergy Capitals and Asthma Capitals reports examine geographic patterns and conditions relevant to allergic disease and asthma, while Asthma Disparities in America focuses attention on unequal outcomes and health equity. AAFA now operates as a national 501(c)(3) charitable organization with regional chapters in Alaska, Michigan, New England, and St. Louis, as well as educational support groups and online communities across the United States. Its funding base includes individual giving, fundraising, federal agencies, pharmaceutical and corporate support, and the asthma & allergy friendly Certification Program. AAFA also reports that it holds certification under the National Health Council’s standards of excellence program, which recognizes patient organizations meeting specified expectations for accountability and ethical conduct. The organization’s continuing model combines education, advocacy, research, and community support rather than treating any one of those functions as its sole purpose.

• 2013

  Merger with Kids with Food Allergies

  [1]Asthma and Allergy Foundation of Americaen.wikipedia.org

  AAFA merged with Kids with Food Allergies, expanding its services for children with food allergies and their families.

• 1990

  Move to Washington, D.C.

  [1]Asthma and Allergy Foundation of Americaen.wikipedia.org

  AAFA moved its national base to Washington, D.C., to strengthen its policy impact and support for government-backed allergy and immune-disease research.

• 1980

  Shift toward a patient-centered national role

  [1]Asthma and Allergy Foundation of Americaen.wikipedia.org

  During the 1980s and 1990s, AAFA evolved from a primarily medically oriented group into a more patient-centered organization with broader support and advocacy functions.

• 1953

  Organization founded in New York

  [1]Asthma and Allergy Foundation of Americaen.wikipedia.org

  Three allergists founded AAFA to raise funds for asthma and allergy education and research.

A national, patient-centered nonprofit that combines evidence-based education, community support, research, and public-policy advocacy for people affected by asthma and allergic diseases.

• Education

  Patient education and digital resources

  AAFA produces evidence-based information for patients, caregivers, educators, and health professionals. Its materials cover asthma, allergic diseases, food allergies, atopic dermatitis, treatment and medication issues, environmental triggers, disease management, and emergency preparedness. Resources are delivered in print and digital formats, including online tools, courses, newsletters, magazines, and selected Spanish-language materials.

• Community support

  Online patient-support communities

  AAFA operates online communities that connect people affected by asthma, allergies, and related diseases with practical information and peer support. Food-allergy community services associated with Kids with Food Allergies provide additional resources for families managing children’s food allergies.

• Research and public-health reporting

  Allergy Capitals and Asthma Capitals reports

  These recurring reports compare U.S. locations using information relevant to asthma or allergy burdens. They are intended to inform patients, families, health professionals, communities, and policymakers about geographic and environmental factors associated with allergic disease and asthma.

• Research and health-equity reporting

  Asthma Disparities in America report

  AAFA’s Asthma Disparities in America work examines unequal asthma experiences and outcomes in the United States. The report supports the organization’s advocacy focus on health disparities, access to care, and health equity.

• Certification

  Asthma & allergy friendly Certification Program

  The certification program is one of AAFA’s funding and program activities. It is associated with identifying products or environments that meet defined asthma- and allergy-related criteria, helping consumers make more informed choices while supporting the foundation’s broader mission.

• National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month

  United States

  AAFA designates May as National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month and provides educational and awareness resources intended to increase understanding of asthma and allergic diseases.

  Source

• 2013

  Merger with Kids with Food AllergiesM&A

  Background

  AAFA sought to broaden its patient-support role to include stronger services for children with food allergies and their families.

  Action taken

  AAFA merged with Kids with Food Allergies and incorporated food-allergy community resources into its wider asthma and allergy work.

  Aftermath

  The merger expanded AAFA’s scope to include a substantial food-allergy support and education function.

  Source

1. 1Asthma and Allergy Foundation of Americaen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America official websiteaafa.org