Asthma Awareness Month, which happens every May, aims to improve understanding of the condition and raise money for research.
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It is a long-term condition that makes the tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs swollen and narrow. The symptoms tend to come and go and may include:
- coughing
- coughing up mucus
- a feeling of tightness in the chest
- feeling short of breath
- wheezing or a whistling sound when breathing out
Read on to learn more about Asthma Awareness Month.
The U.S. asthma community recognizes Asthma Awareness Month each May.
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), May is the time when people with asthma and allergies experience the most symptoms. This month aims to educate people with asthma, their families, friends, co-workers, and the wider community.
People and groups that take part include:
- people with asthma and their families
- asthma patient advocacy groups, such as the AAFA and the American Lung Association
- government departments, such as the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , theNational Institutes of Health (NIH) , and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - hospitals and clinics
- pharmaceutical companies
They may:
- share information on social media
- organize or attend awareness-raising events
- organize or attend educational events
Asthma Awareness Month has a different theme each year. In 2023, it will focus on increasing people’s confidence when using asthma and allergy medications. These include inhalers and allergy medicines.
The Asthma Awareness Month ribbon is gray.
World Asthma Day takes place on the first Tuesday of May. The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), which is part of the World Health Organization (WHO), organizes it.
In 2023, it will take place on May 3. The theme is “asthma care for all.”
People with asthma in low- and middle-income countries do not always get the care and treatment they need. This means that more people die from or are disabled by asthma in poorer countries than in richer countries.
In 2023, GINA will use World Asthma Day to call for better access to medications and doctors for everybody with asthma, no matter where they live.
There are lots of things people can do to take part in Asthma Awareness Month and World Asthma Day.
Social media posts
One simple option is sharing awareness-raising content on social media. People can use the hashtags #asthma, #AsthmaAwarenessMonth, or #WorldAsthmaDay.
Some organizations have created posts for people to download and share with their own networks. They include the following:
- AAFA: People can download factsheets on asthma and allergies as well as images to post on social media.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute : The organization has a suite of social media resources for people to share. They include fact sheets, infographics, and GIFs.- EPA: The organization has produced a sample social media kit. It features posts and images in relation to asthma awareness, environmental triggers, and community networks.
Events
Some asthma associations organize both in-person and online events. People can learn more about these events through the AAFA and American Lung Association.
Fundraising
GINA has produced an extensive list of ways people can fundraise and raise awareness. It has mainly aimed its suggestions at organizations, but there are things people can do themselves or with friends. They include:
- holding or taking part in a sponsored walk, run, swim, or soccer match
- holding a bake sale
- holding a coffee morning
Asthma Awareness Month takes place every May. It is a way to raise awareness of the condition among people with asthma, their friends and family, and the wider community.
Organizations, including AAFA and the EPA, have created social media posts for people to download and share. People may also want to organize their own fundraising events for local, national, or international asthma organizations.