Expressing support for the designation of May 2025 as "National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month".
H. Res. 387 is a non-binding House resolution that expresses support for designating May 2025 as “National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month.” Introduced by Representatives Dingell and Valadao and referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, the measure is symbolic and does not create new programs or provide funding. It enumerates various findings about the prevalence and impact of asthma and food allergies (including health, school/work attendance, and economic costs), highlights disparities among racial and ethnic groups, and urges the American people to observe May 2025 with appropriate ceremonies and activities. The resolution’s core purpose is to raise public awareness and emphasize the burden of asthma and related allergic conditions, particularly among children and minority communities, with the framing that May should be recognized as a time for national attention and education on these conditions.
Key Points
- 1Purpose: Expresses support for designating May 2025 as National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, and invites Americans to observe the month with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
- 2Public health burden: Cites high prevalence (millions with asthma, including about 4.9 million children), significant health system use (emergency visits, hospitalizations), and substantial days missed from school and work due to asthma.
- 3Economic and social impact: Notes a very large annual economic cost of asthma (tens of billions of dollars) and the broad societal impact of the disease.
- 4Health disparities and risks: Highlights that Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous individuals bear the highest burden of asthma, and notes mortality (deaths in 2021) and the relationship between asthma and food allergies.
- 5Awareness and action gaps: Points out that a sizable share of people with asthma do not have an asthma action plan, which is important for preventing attacks; also mentions the link between food allergies and asthma.