{"id":5130,"date":"2015-06-04T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2015-06-04T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/Asthma\/the-asthma-allergy-friendly-certification-programs-impact-part-1\/"},"modified":"2015-06-04T08:00:00","modified_gmt":"2015-06-04T08:00:00","slug":"the-asthma-allergy-friendly-certification-programs-impact-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/asthmaandallergyfriendly.com\/USA\/the-asthma-allergy-friendly-certification-programs-impact-part-1\/","title":{"rendered":"The Asthma & Allergy Friendly\u2122 Certification Program\u2019s Impact: Part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is a five-part blog series about the <\/span><\/em>asthma & allergy friendly<\/span>\u00ae<\/span> Certification Program\u2019s impact. <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\"6.4.15<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

I think it\u2019s important to really understand \u201cthe why\u201d of an initiative\u2014like the asthma & allergy friendly<\/strong>\u00ae Certification Program\u2014before the scope of its impact can be brought into perspective.  So why did the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and Allergy Standards Limited (ASL) start this certification program?<\/p>\n

You may already know this, but allergies<\/a> are defined as an overreaction of your immune system to a foreign protein substance\u2014more commonly known as an allergen\u2014that you eat, breathe, inject, or touch. Asthma<\/a> is an inflammation of your air passages that results in the temporary narrowing of the airways that transport air from your nose and mouth to your lungs. Asthma symptoms can be caused by allergens or irritants that you inhale into your lungs.<\/p>\n

These diseases affect 1 out of 5<\/strong> Americans.  That\u2019s over 50%<\/strong> of U.S. households.<\/p>\n

There is no cure for asthma or allergies, but these chronic diseases can be managed with proper prevention and treatment<\/a>. According to the National Institutes of Health<\/a> (NIH), reducing your exposure to asthma and allergy triggers in your home\u2014such as dust mites, pet dander, cockroaches, smoke, and other allergens and irritants\u2014is a vital component of asthma and allergies management. This idea of \u201cenvironmental control\u201d outlined in NIH\u2019s clinical guidelines specifically addresses the use of mattress covers, vacuum cleaners, air filtration systems, and other tools in improving your home\u2019s environment.<\/p>\n

As a result, AAFA and ASL created this program to service those 60 million<\/strong> Americans, like you, suffering from asthma and allergies, and to:<\/p>\n