The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) has published its annual list of US “asthma capitals,” led this year by Richmond, Virginia. The list ranks 100 metropolitan areas in terms of difficulties that they present for asthma patients living in the area.
Criteria for ranking the list include factors such as the prevalence of asthma in the area, the number of asthma medications prescribed, air pollution, pollen counts, and the number of asthma specialists. The AAFA also takes into consideration whether or not local governments have banned smoking.
This year’s list includes 14 cities located in the South among its top 25. Four of the top ten asthma capitals are located in Tennessee.
Visit the Asthma Capitals web site.
