REPORT: AAFA Names 2026 Asthma Capitals, Highlights Risk Factors That Increase Asthma-Related ER Visits and Deaths
Poverty, respiratory infections, air pollution, and health care barriers make living with asthma more challenging
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Washington, DC, Sept. 01, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As hospital emergency departments prepare for a surge of asthma-related visits starting in September, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) released its 2026 Asthma Capitals® report naming the most challenging places to live in the United States with asthma. This year’s report names Allentown, Pennsylvania the #1 Asthma Capital in the U.S.
Allentown is the most challenging city in the U.S. to live with asthma due to its higher-than-average asthma prevalence and having the highest rate of asthma-related emergency department visits of all cities analyzed. This year’s ranking marks the third time in the past four years that Allentown earned the top spot.
“In the United States, 1 in 12 people have asthma and between 9 and 11 people die each day from asthma,” said Kenneth Mendez, president and CEO of AAFA. “The more than 28 million people in the US with asthma face missed days of school and work, emergency room visits, and hospitalizations. Our Asthma Capitals report should be a wake-up call for policymakers and a roadmap for policy improvements. Recent policy changes to our nation’s healthcare infrastructure mean millions more people may lack access to the care they need to treat and manage their asthma.”
The Top 20 Asthma Capitals for 2026 (out of 100 areas ranked) are:
| 1. Allentown, PA | 11. Columbia, SC |
| 2. Detroit, MI | 12. Fresno, CA |
| 3. Rochester, NY | 13. Virginia Beach, VA |
| 4. Philadelphia, PA | 14. Spokane, WA |
| 5. Cleveland, OH | 15. Albany, NY |
| 6. Lakeland, FL | 16. Baltimore, MD |
| 7. Syracuse, NY | 17. Providence, RI |
| 8. Hartford, CT | 18. Dallas, TX |
| 9. Charleston, SC | 19. Milwaukee, WI |
| 10. Sacramento, CA | 20. Phoenix, AZ |
The rankings are based on estimated asthma prevalence, emergency department (ED) visits due to asthma, and asthma-related fatalities. AAFA only evaluates the top 100 populated places (based on metropolitan statistical areas or MSAs) in the contiguous (“lower 48”) states for this report. To see the complete 100-city list ranking, visit: asthmacapitals.org
People living in or near the top Asthma Capitals may face higher rates of poverty, poor air quality, lower community protection from respiratory infections, higher exposure to tobacco and pollen, or limited access to health insurance and asthma specialists.
The report’s findings indicate respiratory infections are a key driver of asthma-related emergency department visits, with a notable spike in visits starting in September and running through respiratory infection season (well into the winter months).
September: The Start of Asthma Peak Season
The report’s release coincides with the start of what is known as Asthma Peak Season. AAFA says people should start taking steps now to manage their asthma symptoms during this challenging time.
“AAFA’s Asthma Capitals report is released at the start of Asthma Peak Season to raise awareness of the challenges people with asthma start facing in fall each year,” said Melanie Carver, chief mission officer at AAFA. “Pediatric asthma-related emergency department (ED) visits begin to climb in September and October, as children return to school and respiratory infection season begins. Throughout the fall and winter, asthma-related ED visits surge when respiratory infections circulate. Vaccines that provide protection from the flu, COVID-19, RSV, and other respiratory infections can help minimize potential complications for people with asthma exposed to these illnesses. Policymakers should take steps to improve rather than limit access to health care and vaccines for people with asthma.”
Mitchell Grayson, MD, professor of pediatrics and Chief of the Division of Allergy and Immunology at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and The Ohio State University, and chair of AAFA’s Medical Scientific Council says the actions people with asthma take now will make a difference in how they experience Asthma Peak Season.
“Achieving well-controlled asthma is possible when you live in a healthy environment and have access to appropriate care and treatment. If you have asthma, work with your doctor (preferably an asthma specialist) to develop an Asthma Action Plan, take any asthma medicines as prescribed, get updated vaccines, and limit your exposure to your asthma triggers. Putting your plan into place now can help you stay healthy through the fall and winter.”
Press Contact:
Andy Spears
Senior Public Relations Manager
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA)
media@aafa.org
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About the Research
AAFA publishes the Asthma Capitals® report to monitor the nationwide impacts of asthma. The report analyzes asthma data across the United States and ranks cities by the most critical of health outcomes – asthma prevalence, emergency department visits due to asthma attacks, and asthma-related mortality. The outcomes are not weighted equally. The report also examines asthma risk factors that influence the outcomes.
AAFA evaluates data for the 100 most-populated cities in the continental United States, based on metropolitan statistical data in the contiguous (“lower 48”) states. MSAs are cities and their surrounding areas (like suburbs and nearby rural areas). The report does not reflect:
- Cities and areas not in the top 100 list by population size.
- Completely rural areas that are not located within a metropolitan statistical area.
- Anchorage, Alaska; Honolulu, Hawaii; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Navajo Nation Reservation; or Cherokee Nation Reservation, due to lack of matching data with other cities, counties, and states.
The 2026 Asthma Capitals report is an independent research project of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), made possible by support from Amgen, AstraZeneca, Chiesi, Sanofi, and Regeneron. AAFA also thanks Komodo Health and Pollen Sense, LLC for additional support for data used in this report.
About AAFA
Founded in 1953, AAFA is the oldest and largest non-profit patient organization dedicated to saving lives and improving the quality of life for people affected by asthma and allergic diseases through support, advocacy, education, and research. AAFA offers extensive support for individuals and families affected by asthma and allergic diseases, such as food allergies and atopic dermatitis (eczema). Through its online patient support communities, network of regional chapters, and collaborations with community-based groups, AAFA empowers patients and their families by providing practical, evidence-based information and community programs and services. AAFA is the first asthma and allergy patient advocacy group certified to meet the standards of excellence set by the National Health Council. For more information, visit: aafa.org and kidswithfoodallergies.org.
Attachments
Andy Spears Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America 2029741223 media@aafa.org
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