Washington D.C., March 14, 2024 — The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) released its 2024 Allergy Capitals™ report detailing the most challenging cities in the United States for living with allergies. The full report can be found at allergycapitals.com.
This year, Wichita, Kansas takes the top spot due to its higher-than-average tree and grass pollen, higher-than-average medicine use, and limited access to allergy specialists. The top 10 Allergy Capitals™ for 2024 are: 1. Wichita, KS; 2. Virginia Beach, VA; 3. Greenville, SC; 4. Dallas, TX; 5. Oklahoma City, OK; 6. Tulsa, OK; 7. Richmond, VA 8. Des Moines, IA; 9. Raleigh, NC, and 10. Fayetteville, AR.
This year’s report again calls attention to the urgency of the climate crisis. Due to climate change, growing seasons start earlier and last longer than they did just 30 years ago. Some parts of the United States now experience pollen (tree, grass, or weed) year-round. Warmer temperatures also trap heat in urban areas, increase air pollution, and stimulate pollen production.
“Climate change fuels a perfect storm of conditions that make allergy season worse for people with pollen allergy,” said AAFA President and CEO Kenneth Mendez. “Longer growing seasons mean more exposure to pollen allergy triggers. Additionally, pollen counts tend to rise with warmer temperatures. Now, we see both more days of exposure to pollen and higher daily pollen counts leading to more intense, longer-lasting symptoms.”
AAFA’s 2024 Allergy Capitals™ report provides insight into factors impacting seasonal allergies. The report ranks the 100 most populous cities in the contiguous United States by their:
- Tree, grass, and weed pollen scores
- Over-the-counter allergy medicine use
- Availability of board-certified allergists/immunologists
Experts say a range of treatment options are available for people dealing with seasonal allergies this spring.
“Over-the-counter medicines can help manage symptoms,” said allergist Dr. Neeta Ogden, spokesperson for AAFA. “Working with a specialist can help you develop the best treatment plan.”
While the symptoms of pollen allergy can be managed, they are a significant health concern. Seasonal allergies can even lead to hospitalization if they trigger an asthma episode.
“Our pollen season continues to begin earlier each year,” said Dr. Claire Atkinson, a board-certified allergist with the Oklahoma Allergy & Asthma Clinic (OAAC). “We’ve already had several allergy alert days this year and we’ve not even made it to the official start of Spring. We want to encourage people who are suffering to see their medical provider and consider making an appointment with an allergist.”
A board-certified allergist can diagnose allergies, and determine the specific triggers that cause them, through simple tests. The allergists at OAAC evaluate and manage patients of all ages. The main clinic is on the Oklahoma Health Center campus. For patient convenience, satellite offices are in Edmond, Norman and Yukon.
Visit the OAAC website at www.oklahomaallergy.com to view the addresses for all Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic locations. To make an initial appointment or to request more information, please call (405) 235-0040 or visit the website.
For information on preventing and treating allergies and asthma, visit aafa.org.