| R 364 |
| 2026 -- H 8583 Enacted 05/26/2026 |
| H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N |
| PROCLAIMING THE MONTH OF MAY 2026 AS "ASTHMA AND ALLERGY AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND |
Introduced By: Representatives Edwards, Blazejewski, Kazarian, Chippendale, Bennett, Kennedy, Azzinaro, Shanley, Diaz, and Potter |
| Date Introduced: May 26, 2026 |
| 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 |
| 81 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 10th 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). |
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| LC006042 |
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