Proclaiming the Month of May 2026 as "Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month" in the State of Rhode Island

WHEREAS, Asthma and allergic diseases are chronic, potentially life-altering conditions that affect millions of Americans and thousands of Rhode Islanders; and

WHEREAS, Since 1984, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) has designated the month of May as “National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month” to raise public understanding of asthma, allergic diseases, triggers, and treatment options; and

WHEREAS, More than 100 million people in the United States live with asthma and/or allergies, including over 28 million Americans with asthma, 20 million with food allergies,; and million with nasal allergies. While individuals may have more than one of these conditions, these statistics highlight the widespread impact of respiratory and immune conditions nationwide. Additionally, most deaths related to asthma and allergies are preventable with proper care and management; and

WHEREAS, According to the most recent data from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 26.8 million Americans (about 8.2%) have current asthma, including more than 4.5 million children and 22.2 million adults, underscoring the significant public health burden of this condition; and

WHEREAS, Rhode Island residents are similarly affected by asthma, with state data indicating that an estimated 24.8% of adults with current asthma have ongoing symptoms, and that a proportion of Rhode Islanders experience asthma triggered or worsened by occupational exposures. Providence ranked th in the most challenging U.S. cities for living with asthma in 2024 according to the AAFA; and

WHEREAS, Asthma remains a leading cause of school absenteeism and health care utilization among children nationwide, and allergic diseases, including rhinitis and food allergies, contributes to significant morbidity, decreased quality of life, and economic costs for families and communities; and

WHEREAS, Raising awareness, enhancing education about environmental triggers such as air pollution and allergens, promoting early diagnosis, improving access to effective health care, and supporting research and evidence-based prevention and treatment strategies are essential to reducing the burden of asthma and allergies; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby proclaims the Month of May 2026 as "Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month" in the State of Rhode Island and urges Rhode Islanders of all ages to observe this month with appropriate awareness, education, and outreach activities designed to improve the health and well-being of individuals living with asthma and allergic diseases; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Kenneth Mendez, President and CEO of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA).