In honor of Filipino-American History Month, Joanna Pineda invites Kenneth Mendez, President & CEO of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, on to the Associations Thrive podcast. Kenny discusses:

• How his family’s struggles with asthma and severe food allergies influenced his career transition into healthcare and his eventual role at AAFA.
• How climate change has worsened allergy seasons, leading to longer and more intense pollen seasons, causing an increase in allergies and asthma cases.
• How he uses business skills developed from corporate roles at Disney and Wall Street to run a mission-driven organization.
• His Filipino heritage and the values his parents instilled in him, such as a focus on education, family, and  loyalty. 
• Why Filipino Americans should consider careers in nonprofits. The culture of giving and service in Filipino communities aligns well with the mission-driven work of nonprofits.
• How Black Americans are disproportionately affected by asthma mortality and emergency room visits. Despite advances in asthma treatments, these disparities have remained unchanged.
• How AAFA’s “Asthma Capitals” research shows that cities in the Northeast and Midwest are particularly affected by poor air quality, making asthma more prevalent.
• AAFA’s HEAL program, which involves partnering with community-based asthma programs to improve asthma outcomes.
• How AAFA advocates for federal and state-level policies, such as funding for the CDC's National Asthma Control Program, and legislation to improve asthma and allergy care in schools and communities.
• AAFA’s role in getting sesame recognized as a major allergen in the U.S.
• AAFA’s free online community, which offers support, medical advice, and access to a network of individuals managing asthma and allergies.

References:

• AAFA Website
• Get Support
• Asthma Capitals