The Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America, New England Chapter, is a non-profit voluntary organization dedicated to the control and cure of asthma and allergic diseases. We pursue this mission through educational and training programs, public awareness, advocacy, and support for research.
One in every 11 people is now estimated to suffer from asthma and one in every five has allergies. Approximately 3% of the population is susceptible to anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic shock reaction to foods, medications, latex, and insect stings.
Our programs include:
• Telephone information and referral services
• Informative website information, newsletters, brochures, and resource order forms for books, training curricula, and “meetings in a box”
• Educational support groups for those who want to hear qualified medical speakers and share strategies with others who have asthma and allergies in their families
• Training programs for child care providers and allied health professionals
• Educational programs tailored to children and teens
• Exhibits at health fairs
• A speakers bureau
• Support of research to discover means of prevention, treatment, and ultimately a cure for asthma and allergic diseases
• Public advocacy on issues that include:
- Control of tobacco smoke in public places
- The need for a school nurse in every school
- Appropriate management of life-threatening food allergies at school, camp, child care, and restaurants
- Training of all emergency first responders to carry and use epinephrine for life-threatening anaphylaxis
- Banning unnecessary use of latex gloves (because latex is an increasingly common trigger of anaphylaxis)
- Cleaner indoor air for schools and childcare (to reduce common triggers of asthma)
- Urban asthma issues (through participation in coalitions)
- Access to services and medications that are needed