AAFA launches national PSA on "Two Main Causes of Asthma"

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) is launching a national public service announcement (PSA) supported by GlaxoSmithKline titled "Two Main Causes of Asthma." The PSA goal is to communicate an important message to the millions of Americans with asthma: that treating the two main causes of asthma symptoms may help prevent symptoms before they begin.  Asthma symptoms include coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing and chest tightness.  

"This simple message is a largely misunderstood aspect of asthma," said William McLin, AAFA President & CEO.  "While 20 million Americans know that asthma can slow them down, they may not know that there are two main causes – airway constriction they feel, and inflammation they may not feel – and that most asthma medicines only treat one cause."

The PSA features two cyclists riding on a tandem bicycle representative of the two main causes of asthma symptoms. When the lead cyclist pedals solo she struggles but when the second cyclist begins to peddle, the journey becomes much easier. Their ride together is symbolic of managing asthma more effectively by treating both main causes of asthma symptoms when one medicine is not enough to prevent symptoms.  

The PSA encourages the millions of people suffering from asthma to find information and resources about asthma and learn how to work with their doctor to help prevent asthma symptoms at asthma.com.

According to AAFA, every day in America because of asthma, 60,000 people miss school or work, 30,000 have an attack, 5,000 visit the emergency room and 1,000 get admitted to the hospital. Asthma in America isn't merely a problem but it's nearly an epidemic.

"At AAFA, our mission is to help people with asthma live a 'Life Without Limits'," added McLin.  "This is possible, but only when people are educated about asthma symptoms and how to prevent symptoms. That is how a national public service announcement can help."