Get Involved
Food Allergy Awareness Week and National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) declares May to be “National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month.” It’s a peak season for people with allergies and asthma and a perfect time to educate patients, family, friends, school staff, coaches, and others about these diseases. AAFA’s food allergy division, Kids With Food Allergies (KFA), honors Food Allergy Awareness Week the second week of May. In 2022, it occurs May 8-14.
Quick Facts (Download Fact Sheet):
- About 32 million people in the U.S. have food allergies (6 million are children).1,2
- Food allergies can develop at any time, but it is most common to start in childhood.
- Any food can cause food allergy. The most common in the United States are peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, wheat, soy, and sesame.
- Children with food allergies are more likely to have asthma or other allergic diseases.
- Each year in the U.S., it is estimated that anaphylaxis to food results in 90,000 emergency room visits.3
- Severe allergic reactions to food need prompt treatment with epinephrine.
- Although new treatments are being developed, there is currently no cure for food allergies.
Get Involved and Take Action:
This year's theme is to increase confidence in using asthma and allergy medicines, including inhalers and injections. Use our resources and tools to spread awareness during May and all year long!
Key Dates in May for Food Allergy Awareness
May 1-31: See all of our 31 Days of Action for Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. Asthma and allergic diseases impact over 65 million people in the United States. This year, AAFA is helping people increase their confidence in using asthma and allergy medicines, including inhalers and injections.
May 3: World Asthma Day – Did you know that kids with food allergies are more likely to have asthma too?
May 8-14: Food Allergy Awareness Week (FAAW) – Nearly 6 million children and more than 26 million adults in the U.S. have food allergies.
- Sign up for AAFA’s e-newsletters to receive updates about asthma and allergies.
- Download our food allergy fact sheet (PDF).
- Share our images and videos on social media. Update your profile picture or cover image and share awareness messages.
- Share our newly diagnosed resources with a friend whose child was just diagnosed with a food allergy.
May 9: Make a donation to support our food allergy research, support, education, and advocacy programs.
May 10: Join our #AllergyCare Twitter chat at 8 p.m. ET to gain more confidence on when and how to use asthma and allergy medicines, including injections. Follow @AAFANational and @KFATweets.
May 12: Improve your confidence to know when and how to use epinephrine. Watch the training video for your/your child’s epinephrine device and practice injecting using a training device.
May 13: Visit the KFA School Zone to prepare for the next school year to confidently manage your student’s food allergies. Tell school nurses, teachers, and administrators about our Teal Classroom™: Food Allergy Awareness Kit and other resources for raising awareness about food allergies at school.
May 14: Visit KFA’s Safe Eats® recipes and make a meal free of major allergens.
May 16-22: National Eosinophil Awareness Week – Learn more about eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE).
May 16: Advocacy Day: Ask your elected officials to support the Elijah E. Cummings Family Asthma Act and the Medical Nutrition Equity Act to help improve the lives of people with asthma and food allergies.
May 18: Join AAFA’s “Ask the Expert” Community Chat at 7 p.m. ET. Bring your questions about how to best use your asthma and allergy medicines.
May 28: Take part in Remembrance Day to honor the memories of people lost to asthma or allergy. Visit a park and honor them by blowing bubbles (a more environmentally friendly option than releasing a balloon).
