Declared by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), every May is "National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month."

Asthma affects over more than 20 million people, and each year over more than 3,800 asthma-related deaths occur. May’s national awareness month is designed to educate people about allergies and asthma. The American Association of Respiratory Care (AARC) is focusing on providing information on what causes asthma attacks, how they can be prevented, and what to do when someone does have an asthma attack. The AARC is urging people who suffer from asthma to pay close attention to weather forecasts for any conditions that are likely to trigger asthma attacks. The AARC is also focusing on training teachers and coaches on how to help a child suffering an asthma attack.

“A child may be in gym class and suffer an exercise0induced attack where they need to have access to their inhaler,” says Tom Kallstrom, RRT, and chief operating officer of the AARC. “Those are organizational issues each school must address to make sure students can be treated quickly.”

The AARC is also reminding all asthma sufferers to always carry rescue medication.

An “Asthma Awareness Month” planning kit is available from the Environmental Protection Agency.