04/27/2021
Here’s a Top 10 list you might not want your community to make: Allergy Capitals of the U.S. Each year, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) releases its report on the top 10 most challenging places to live with allergies. The foundation uses the following criteria in developing its list: higher than average spring and fall pollen, higher than average allergy medicine use, and fewer board-certified allergists. Here are the findings:
1. Scranton, Pennsylvania
2. Richmond, Virginia
3. Wichita, Kansas
4. McAllen, Texas
5. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
6. Hartford, Connecticut
7. Springfield, Massachusetts
8. New Haven, Connecticut
9. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
10. Bridgeport, Connecticut
In releasing the report, AAFA President Kenneth Mendez drew attention to two points contained within: “In 2020, fewer people felt the impact of pollen allergies. This is likely due to COVID-19 restrictions with more people staying indoors. But climate change continues to cause longer and more severe allergy seasons. If we don’t slow down the cycle, pollen production will only intensify. This means symptoms could worsen as climate change continues to evolve.”