Bulletin Board Archive
Bulletin Board
February 10, 2026
Launching the Patient Advocacy Leadership Initiative (PALI)
PALI is a multifaceted program supporting a network of informed, empowered patient advocates to influence healthcare policy at federal, state and local levels. Advocates attend monthly virtual interactive meetings to learn how to get involved. PALI is an “investment in the power of a strong, connected advocacy community,” CEO Lynda Mitchell says.
Allergy & Asthma Network’s CEO Offers Perspective on Sublingual Epinephrine
CEO Lynda Mitchell shared her insight with Healio on FDA’s recent pause of Anaphylm®, the new under-the-tongue epinephrine strip of film from Aquestive. When approved, the product will improve patient access and everyday anaphylaxis readiness. “A lot of people are hesitant to use an auto-injector, so a needle-free option is a really important step,” Lynda said.
Allergy & Asthma Network’s Researchers Examine Macrolides in Asthma Care
Chief Research Officer De De Gardner and patient advocates Angel Melendez and Hilarry Orr were among co-authors of a new study on macrolide antibiotics in asthma care. Published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, the research found that macrolides reduced severe asthma attacks and improved quality of life, pointing to a promising new direction for asthma treatment.
Bulletin Board
January 8, 2026
AAN In the Spotlight at National Health Council
Allergy & Asthma Network is proud to be the newest member of the National Health Council. In a recent blog post, CEO Lynda Mitchell highlights the Network’s mission and commitment to outreach, education, advocacy and research. “We share National Health Council’s focus on patient-centered healthcare,” Lynda says. “Meaningful partnerships and the active involvement of patients are essential to strengthening health systems and improving outcomes.”
AAN Advocates for Epinephrine Access at Hearing
Director of Advocacy Nissa Shaffi recently participated in a panel discussion hosted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Duke-Margolis Institute for Health Policy on expanding access to epinephrine in community settings. Nissa detailed policy solutions to improve affordability, school staff training, and first responder resources while reducing insurance barriers so people can get life-saving care they need.
New Resource for Chronic Urticaria in Skin of Color
Allergy & Asthma Network partnered with Novartis and Genentech to launch a new Chronic Urticaria in Skin of Color online resource. The webpage highlights how chronic urticaria can appear differently in Black and Hispanic/Latino people and raises awareness of symptoms. It features three patient stories and a photo gallery to help people better understand chronic urticaria across diverse skin tones.
Bulletin Board
December 4, 2025
Trusted Messengers Program Drives Progress in Asthma Care
For the second year, Allergy & Asthma Network’s innovative Trusted Messengers program showed significant, lasting improvements in people who took part in Virtual Asthma Coaching. The reported outcomes included: 1) better asthma control; 2) fewer ER visits and hospitalizations; and 3) improved quality of life for adults, especially those in under-resourced communities.
AAN Hosts 11th Annual USAsthma Summit in Orlando
We are proud to host the USAsthma Summit every year at the ACAAI annual meeting. This year’s Summit was held on Nov. 7 in Orlando, Florida and focused on new biologics, defining “asthma remission,” cannabis use, asthma disparities, and more. More than 70 health professionals and patients attended the Summit and 650+ joined our livestream.
AAN Wins Two Anthem Awards for Exceptional Programs
The two Bronze-level Anthem Awards highlighted the Trusted Messengers program to advance health equity and the Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Innovations Podcast, part of our partnership with The Itch Podcast. The awards celebrate purpose-driven work to improve health outcomes through patient education and promoting equal access to care.
Bulletin Board
November 3, 2025
Food Allergy Expert Weighs In on Early Introduction Study
Representing Allergy & Asthma Network, pediatric allergist Michael Pistiner, MD, provided his expert perspective to Healio.com on a new study showing that giving babies peanut products and other allergenic foods at 4-6 months of age can help prevent a child from developing food allergies. The findings build on years of research that have changed longstanding advice on food allergy prevention.
AAN Research Leads Study on Perceptions of OCS Use
Chief Research Officer De De Gardner and Data Insights/Analytics Manager Mitu Patel served as co-authors of a new study examining the perceptions of caregivers on oral corticosteroid (OCS) use in children with asthma. The researchers found that caregivers view OCS as safe, but need education on side effects and how to optimize inhaler treatments to reduce OCS use.
Allergy & Asthma Network Joins National Health Council
We are proud to join a national coalition of nearly 200 health-related organizations united in advancing patient-centered policies, including equitable access to medications, and improved care for chronic conditions. For patients and families, it means a stronger advocate at the policy table to ensure that lived experiences drive healthcare decisions and research priorities.
Bulletin Board
September 23, 2025
AAN Expert Notes Growing Epi Nasal Spray Acceptance
Medical Advisor Payel Gupta, MD, reported to Medscape that the response from her patients over use of an epinephrine nasal spray for anaphylaxis has been “overwhelmingly positive.” Dr. Gupta also notes that teenagers appear to be more open to carrying the nasal spray because it’s small, easy to use, and does not involve needles.
AAN Advocates for Vaccine Access at CDC Hearing
Director of Advocacy Nissa Shaffi delivered testimony before the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) on the critical issue of vaccine access. Nissa emphasized how vaccines are a lifeline for people with asthma, allergies, COPD and other respiratory diseases, protecting vulnerable communities and strengthening public health.
AAN Expert Weighs In on Pediatric Asthma Study
Medical Advisor Nina C. Ramirez, MD, provided her expert perspective on a recent pediatric asthma study examining inhaled corticosteroid use and bone fractures. In an interview with Healio, Dr. Ramirez said the findings highlight the need for closer monitoring of asthma management and bone health assessments.
Bulletin Board
August 28, 2025
AAN’s Lead Disease Management Coach Provides Expert Perspective
Disease Management Coach Leandra Tonweber, PA-C, AE-C, shared her perspective on a new study on atopic dermatitis (AD) and sleep disorders on Healio.com. Leandra reinforced that early screening for sleep issues, as well as mental health concerns, for children with AD is key to identifying interventions that work.
AAN’s Director of Advocacy Offers EPA Testimony
Director of Advocacy Nissa Shaffi recently testified before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), urging officials not to reverse the 2009 Endangerment Finding that provides safeguards against from air pollution. The Endangerment Finding regulates harmful greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles. Nissa told EPA these safeguards are critical to helping reduce asthma triggers.
AAN’s Chief Research Officer Recognized as Distinguished CHEST Educator
Our Chief Research Officer, De De Gardner, has been recognized by the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) as a Distinguished CHEST Educator for 2025. The national recognition honors De De for excellence in respiratory patient education and places her within the top 3% of CHEST faculty worldwide.
Bulletin Board
July 29, 2025
Trusted Messengers In the Community
Our Trusted Messengers team meets people where they are – their local communities! Starting in August, we’re joining the National Alliance for Hispanic Health to provide free lung health screenings and distribute asthma and allergy resources at ¡Vive Tu Vida! Get Up! Get Moving!® events in Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles and other cities.
Asthma Emergency Care
Chief Research Officer De De Gardner recently led a study to better understand healthcare-seeking behaviors of asthma patients and what drives them to seek emergency care. The study reveals that patients are motivated by symptom severity and fast access to care. The research could help guide future care strategies, such as virtual asthma coaching.
A New Epi Option Coming Soon?
CEO Lynda Mitchell offered her insight on Healio.com of a potential new epinephrine treatment: a strip of film placed under the tongue, where it dissolves and is then absorbed into the body. The treatment, currently in FDA review, provides choices that “will encourage more people to carry epinephrine and use it when needed,” Lynda says.
Bulletin Board
June 27, 2025
Asthma Equity Explorer and Wildfire Smoke
Health data analyst Mitu Patel presented an abstract at the American Thoracic Society International Conference May 18-21 on wildfire smoke in San Francisco. Mitu leveraged Allergy & Asthma Network’s Asthma Equity Explorer to analyze geographic and population data to examine the impact of asthma in the region.
Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Innovations Podcast
Our podcast partners Dr. Payel Gupta and Kortney recently interviewed Dr. James Tracy, President of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI). They discussed the unique partnership of ACAAI and Allergy & Asthma Network, as well as the key role ACAAI serves in advancing optimal allergy and asthma care nationwide.
Lung Screenings at Motorsport Races
Our Trusted Messengers team was in Charlotte, North Carolina and Norwalk, Ohio recently, bringing lung health education and free asthma and COPD screenings to motorsport enthusiasts at National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) car races. We partnered with Right2Breathe to host the lung health screenings. Trusted Messengers is our signature health equity initiative.
May 20, 2025
Statement on Medicaid Cuts
Allergy & Asthma Network is deeply concerned by Medicaid cuts outlined in the federal reconciliation package in Congress. We fear these cuts will jeopardize access to essential medical coverage for millions of people – including infants and children – who rely on this vital safety net for their asthma and allergy care.
AAN Advocates Go to Capitol Hill
On May 7, we hosted the 28th annual Allergy & Asthma Day Capitol Hill (AADCH) in Washington, DC – a powerful day of advocacy and action! More than 100 advocates met with members of Congress, urging support for asthma and allergy legislation. At the same time, 430+ virtual advocates sent 1,500 emails to lawmakers, amplifying the voices of patients and families.
AAN Awards Scholarships to Young Researchers
Allergy & Asthma Network is proud to once again sponsor Public Advisory Roundtable (PAR) Abstract Scholarships for research. The 2025 scholarship awardees are Maude Liegeois, PharmD, PhD, and Santhosh Kumar Duraisamy, MSc, PhD. Drs. Liegeois and Duraisamy presented abstracts on asthma inflammation and severity at the American Thoracic Society conference in San Francisco May 16-20.
Bulletin Board
May 20, 2025
Statement on Medicaid Cuts
Allergy & Asthma Network is deeply concerned by Medicaid cuts outlined in the federal reconciliation package in Congress. We fear these cuts will jeopardize access to essential medical coverage for millions of people – including infants and children – who rely on this vital safety net for their asthma and allergy care.
AAN Advocates Go to Capitol Hill
On May 7, we hosted the 28th annual Allergy & Asthma Day Capitol Hill (AADCH) in Washington, DC – a powerful day of advocacy and action! More than 100 advocates met with members of Congress, urging support for asthma and allergy legislation. At the same time, 430+ virtual advocates sent 1,500 emails to lawmakers, amplifying the voices of patients and families.
AAN Awards Scholarships to Young Researchers
Allergy & Asthma Network is proud to once again sponsor Public Advisory Roundtable (PAR) Abstract Scholarships for research. The 2025 scholarship awardees are Maude Liegeois, PharmD, PhD, and Santhosh Kumar Duraisamy, MSc, PhD. Drs. Liegeois and Duraisamy presented abstracts on asthma inflammation and severity at the American Thoracic Society conference in San Francisco May 16-20.
Bulletin Board
April 21, 2025
Celebrating 40 Years!
In 2025, Allergy & Asthma Network marks four decades of impactful contributions in patient outreach, education, advocacy and research. “Our 40th anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate how far we’ve come,” says CEO Lynda Mitchell, “while reinforcing our vision of a future where patients can easily access treatments they need to live full and healthy lives.”
AADCH is Coming
On May 7, we are hosting our 28th annual Allergy & Asthma Day Capitol Hill advocacy event in Washington, DC. Our advocates will meet with members of Congress and their staff to urge support for legislation and policies that improve the lives of people with asthma, allergies and related conditions. A key focus this year: pharmacy benefit manager reform.
Statement on CDC
CEO Lynda Mitchell released a statement expressing deep concern with recent workforce reductions at the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including the National Asthma Control Program. “We urge the Administration to consider the impact this program has had on public health and ensure an expeditious, proper, well-equipped transition to mitigate gaps in access to care.”
Bulletin Board
March 3, 2025
Hispanic/Latino Health
Our Unidos Hablemos virtual conference series is a voice for the Hispanic and Latino community. A recent study examined the impact of these virtual events and how they help Hispanic/Latino patients become better informed about their healthcare and reduce barriers to care. Look for more Unidos Hablemos virtual events in 2025!
Asthma Coaching Benefits
Asthma Management Coach Leandra Tonweber presented a poster at ACAAI’s annual meeting in October of an Allergy & Asthma Network study on virtual asthma coaching. The study showed how the use of a self-management app as part of virtual asthma coaching can significantly improve asthma control.
Allergies on Social Media
Tori Martel, Senior Public Health Communications Manager, provided her perspective to Healio on a recent study tracking how people with seasonal allergies turn to social media to share experiences. Using social media and online search activity to track seasonal allergies in real-time is “both innovative and practical,” Tori says.
