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; 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; 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

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; (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.

Lorraine C. Miller, Clerk.