H. Res. 407 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

May 28, 2010. 

Whereas allergies are among the most common diseases in 

the United States; 

Whereas an estimated 50,000,000 or 1 in 5 Americans suffer 

from all types of allergies; 

Whereas approximately 3,000,000 school-aged children have 

a food allergy and the number of American children with 

a peanut allergy doubled between 1997 and 2002; 

Whereas the prevalence of allergies has increased since the 

early 1980s in the United States across all age, sex, and 

racial groups; 

Whereas allergies are the most frequently reported chronic 

condition in children; 

Whereas almost 4,000 people die each year from asthma-related causes, and asthma is a contributing factor in another 7,000 deaths every year; 

Whereas allergic reactions can be severe enough to cause 

death; 

Whereas it is estimated that the cost of allergies is nearly 

$7,000,000,000 each year; 
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Whereas an estimated 20,000,000 or 1 in 15 Americans suffer from asthma, and over 50 percent of asthma cases 

are ‘‘allergic-asthma’’; 

Whereas, due to asthma, each day in America 40,000 people 

miss school or work, 30,000 people have an attack, 5,000 

people visit the emergency room, 1,000 people are admitted to the hospital, and 11 people die; 

Whereas asthma is the most common chronic condition 

among children, affecting more than 1 of every 20 children; 

Whereas asthma is more common among children (8.9 percent) than adults (7.2 percent); 

Whereas nearly 6,500,000 asthma sufferers are under the 

age of 18; 

Whereas ethnic differences in asthma prevalence, morbidity, 

and mortality are highly correlated with poverty, urban 

air quality, indoor allergens, lack of patient education, 

and inadequate medical care; 

Whereas asthma accounts for nearly 2,000,000 emergency 

room visits in the United States each year; 

Whereas each year, asthma accounts for more than 

10,000,000 outpatient visits and 500,000 hospitalizations; 

Whereas 40 percent of all asthma hospitalizations are for 

children; 

Whereas asthma is the third-ranking cause of hospitalization 

among children; 

Whereas among children ages 5 to 17, asthma is a leading 

cause of school absences from a chronic illness; 
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Whereas asthma accounts for an annual loss of more than 

12,800,000 school days per year, which is approximately 

8 days for each student with asthma, and it is estimated 

that children with asthma spend nearly 8,000,000 days 

per year restricted to bed; 

Whereas the annual cost of asthma is estimated to be nearly 

$18,000,000,000; 

Whereas the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America first 

declared ‘‘National Asthma and Allergy Awareness 

Week’’ 25 years ago in May 1984;

Whereas each year, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of 

America declares May as ‘‘National Asthma and Allergy 

Awareness Month’’; and 

Whereas the month of May 2010 would be an appropriate 

month to designate a ‘‘National Asthma and Allergy 

Awareness Month’’: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

(1) supports the goals and ideals of ‘‘National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month’’; 

(2) supports the designation of a ‘‘National Asthma 

and Allergy Awareness Month’’; 

(3) encourages local communities to raise awareness 

surrounding the prevalence of asthma and allergies; 

(4) encourages awareness about disparities in asthma cases based on race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic 

status; 
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(5) recognizes and salutes health care professionals 

that treat asthma- and allergy-related health issues each 

day; and 

(6) recognizes and reaffirms the Nation’s commitment to continued education surrounding asthma and allergy treatment and symptoms and to advancing care for 

both asthma and allergy conditions. 

Attest: 

Clerk.