AJR185

A Joint Resolution designating May of each year as “Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month” in New Jersey.

Whereas, Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that can be life-threatening without proper management, and allergies can range from seasonal discomfort to severe, life-threatening reactions; and

Whereas, Asthma and allergies affect millions of individuals across the United States, impacting quality of life, school and work attendance, and overall health; and

Whereas, One of the most overlooked aspects of asthma management is the role that allergies play in triggering flares. Allergens like drugs, food, pollen, pet dander, mold, insects, and dust mites are among the most common culprits behind worsening asthma symptoms. In fact, allergic asthma is the most common form of the disease; and

Whereas, Twenty-eight million individuals in the United States have asthma, more than 23 million adults and approximately five million children; and

Whereas, Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous populations in the United States face the highest burden of asthma; and

Whereas, Over 750,000 adults and children in New Jersey have asthma; and

Whereas, One million individuals per year visit emergency departments because of asthma’s effects, and asthma is a leading cause of hospitalizations and school absences due to a chronic disease among children; and

Whereas, Even though asthma is a manageable disease, in 2023, the condition claimed the lives of over 3,100 people in the United States in 2023, including 90 people in New Jersey; and

Whereas, The total economic cost of asthma in the United States was approximately $82 billion per year from 2008 to 2013, which is approximately $115 billion when adjusted for inflation; and

Whereas, About 82 million people in the United States have rhinitis due to nasal allergies, also called “hay fever,” and nationally, approximately 21 million adults and more than 9 million children have eczema. This equals to about 8 out of 100 adults and 13 out of 100 children; and

Whereas, The most recent data shows food allergies affect 18 million adults and four million children in the United States; and

Whereas, Over the past 20 years, food allergy has increased among children nationwide, with the greatest increase in Black children, and children with food allergies are two to four times more likely to have asthma or other allergic disease; and

Whereas, There is no cure for asthma or allergies, however increased public awareness, education, community engagement, research support, and access to resources can significantly improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment outcomes and are essential to reducing the burden of asthma and allergies; and

Whereas, It is altogether fitting and proper to designate May of each year as “Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month” in order to educate the public about asthma and allergic diseases, risk factors, symptoms, and treatment and to highlight the importance of prevention, management, and support for those affected by these diseases; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. The month of May of each year is designated as “Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month” in order to educate the public about asthma and allergic diseases, risk factors, symptoms, and treatment and to highlight the importance of prevention, management, and support for those affected by these diseases.

2. The Governor may annually issue a proclamation recognizing the month of May as “Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month” and call upon public officials and residents of the State of New Jersey to observe the day with appropriate activities and programs.

3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This joint resolution designates the month of May of each year as “Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month.”

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that can be life-threatening without proper management, and allergies can range from seasonal discomfort to severe, life-threatening reactions.

One of the most overlooked aspects of asthma management is the role that allergies play in triggering flares. Allergens like drugs, food, pollen, pet dander, mold, insects, and dust mites are among the most common culprits behind worsening asthma symptoms. In fact, allergic asthma is the most common form of the disease.

Twenty-eight million individuals in the United States have asthma, more than 23 million adults and approximately five million children, and over 750,000 adults and children in New Jersey have asthma. Additionally, food allergies affect 18 million adults and four million children nationwide.

It is fitting and proper to designate May of each year as “Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month” in order to educate the public about asthma and allergic diseases, risk factors, symptoms, and treatment and to highlight the importance of prevention, management, and support for those affected by these diseases.