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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.
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