Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is recognizing the start of Asthma Awareness Month and highlighting the agency's efforts to improve air quality, protect public health, and take action to address climate change.
"One in ten kids in America today suffers from asthma, which disproportionately impacts communities of color and low-income families," said U.S. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. "Today, we're dealing with new threats like climate change that can worsen the problem. For these reasons and more, taking commonsense climate action is critical if we are serious about protecting public health."
EPA promotes scientific understanding of environmental asthma triggers and management through research, education and community-focused outreach. As part of EPA's ongoing effort to increase public awareness of asthma and partner with communities across the nation, the agency is also honoring three exceptional programs for improving the lives of people with asthma in underserved communities.