National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month

Floor Speech

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Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 407. This resolution expresses support for the designation of the month of May as National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. I would like to thank my colleague, Congressman Dave Reichert of Washington, who partnered with me on this resolution. Congressman Reichert and I cochair the Congressional Children's Health Care Caucus.

Today's resolution focuses on two conditions that affect millions of Americans, asthma and allergy. Asthma is a respiratory disease that is caused when the lungs become inflamed and constricted. Asthma attacks can be so severe that they can be life-threatening.

An estimated 20 million Americans currently have asthma, and it is the most chronic condition in children. Asthma accounts for nearly 2 million emergency room visits per year, and costs America about $18 billion annually. More than 12.8 million school days are lost each year due to asthma, approximately 8 days for each student with asthma. This makes it very difficult for parents who may miss work because their child is home from school after an asthma flare-up.

There is no cure for asthma. Almost 4,000 people die each year from asthma-related conditions. The best course of action is to manage the disease by preventing symptoms and treating attacks when they occur. Improved care and management has the potential to not only save lives, but also to reduce the number of people suffering asthma attacks so they don't miss work or have to visit the emergency room or the hospital.

Our resolution also underscores the disparities in asthma based on race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. It is important to work to improve asthma-related outcomes for all Americans, but particularly for those who are disproportionately affected by the disease.

Mr. Speaker, the resolution before us also focuses on allergy. This refers to reactions by the immune system when a person comes into contact with certain substances that act as triggers. Allergies are most often triggered by pollen. They can also be triggered by exposure to other substances like certain food or pets.

Like asthma, allergy is a common disease among Americans. Approximately 50 million Americans suffer from allergies. Approximately 3 million school-aged children have a food allergy. And the prevalence of allergy has increased across all age, sex, and racial groups in the last decade.

Symptoms of allergy also vary. And we understand this very well this time of year. The symptoms can be rather mild or for some people very severe. Hives and swelling of the throat and allergic reactions can be severe enough to cause death. So it's important to consider the impacts of allergy as an individual condition.

We must also not overlook the connection between allergy and asthma. Over 50 percent of asthma cases are triggered by allergens. Today's resolution gives us an opportunity to learn more about asthma and allergy and the impact of these conditions upon American families. It encourages local communities to raise awareness surrounding these diseases.

The resolution also recognizes and salutes the important work of health professionals who treat asthma-and allergy-related health issues. Finally, the resolution recognizes and affirms the Nation's commitment to education surrounding the care for these two conditions.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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