Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, has been named the fifteenth most challenging city for individuals with asthma in the United States, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). The report, released on Tuesday (September 9), highlights Harrisburg as one of the “Asthma Capitals” due to its higher-than-average asthma prevalence, emergency room visits, and asthma-related deaths.
The AAFA report evaluates cities based on these health outcomes and considers factors such as air quality, poverty rates, and access to healthcare. Detroit tops the list, followed by Allentown at number three and Baltimore at thirteen. The rankings aim to inform solutions that improve outcomes for people living with asthma and support healthier environments.
AAFA President Kenneth Mendez emphasized the economic burden of asthma, which costs an estimated $115 billion annually in the U.S. He noted that asthma can lead to missed work and school days, emergency visits, and hospitalizations. The report also coincides with the September Asthma Peak, a period marked by increased asthma-related emergencies due to factors like pollen and respiratory infections…