Asthma Awareness Month

During May, the American Lung Association is raising awareness about asthma and heat. Climate change is causing extreme heat, contributing to poor air quality, increased allergens, extreme weather events, and more frequent and intense wildfires. These events can make a person’s asthma more difficult to manage and even cause asthma attacks. Hot, humid air can cause asthma symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. Heat can trigger asthma symptoms because high temperatures and humidity cause air to not move, trapping pollutants that can irritate the airways. Humidity helps common asthma triggers, like dust mites and mold to thrive. Air pollution, ozone, and pollen also increase when the weather is hot and humid. Learn how light-colored, reflective and green surfaces can combat extreme heat and create cooler, more livable communities. Watch this short video on Extreme Heat in Cities.

Join our efforts to learn more about asthma, advocate for critical legislation that will improve air quality, and support research.