Food Help for Asthma

~25M Americans live with asthma (CDC) — including ~5M children. This page lists resources: AAFA, Asthma & Allergy Foundation, evidence-based anti-inflammatory diets, inhaler + biologic affordability programs, SSI/SSDI for severe asthma, school 504 plans.

1. National organizations

• AAFA (Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America) — aafa.org. Line: 1-800-727-8462. Main US organization.
• American Lung Association — lung.org. Line: 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872). Comprehensive resources.
• Allergy & Asthma Network — allergyasthmanetwork.org. Patient assistance + advocacy.
• AAFA Allergy Capitals + Asthma Capitals — city rankings for disease management
• Asthma & Allergy Friendly Certified products — aafa.org/certified

2. SSI/SSDI — severe asthma qualifies

• Listing 3.03 — Asthma. Requires reduced FEV1 + documented exacerbations + repeated hospitalizations.
• 3.03(A) — FEV1 < specified threshold after bronchodilator
• 3.03(B) — frequent exacerbations requiring physician intervention at least every 30 days
• Children with severe asthma — qualify under Listing 103.03
• Receiving SSI/SSDI auto-qualifies for SNAP medical deduction

3. Inhalers — affordability

• Generic albuterol inhaler — $30-60 uninsured. GoodRx can reduce to $20-30.
• ProAir, Ventolin (brand albuterol) — $50-90 with copay assistance
• Symbicort, Advair (combination) — manufacturer copay cards reduce to $0-25 with private insurance
• Trelegy, Breo (newer) — GSK Patient Assistance Program
• Manufacturer programs:
  • Merck — Singulair
  • AstraZeneca — Symbicort, Pulmicort
  • GSK — Advair, Breo, Trelegy, Ventolin
  • Boehringer — Combivent, Spiriva
• NeedyMeds — needymeds.org
• RxAssist — rxassist.org
• Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief — copays.org

4. Asthma biologics — affordability

Severe asthma biologics cost $30,000-50,000+/year:

• Xolair (omalizumab) — Genentech Patient Foundation
• Dupixent (dupilumab) — Sanofi-Regeneron Dupixent MyWay
• Nucala (mepolizumab) — GSK Patient Assistance
• Fasenra (benralizumab) — AstraZeneca Together
• Tezspire (tezepelumab) — AstraZeneca Together
• PAF Co-Pay Relief for Medicare beneficiaries

5. Anti-inflammatory diet — evidence

• Mediterranean Diet — consistent evidence for reducing asthma exacerbations + improving lung function
• Fruits + vegetables — at least 5 servings/day. Antioxidants reduce inflammation.
• Fatty fish (omega-3) — salmon, sardines, mackerel. Reduces airway inflammation.
• Vitamin D — low in many asthma patients. Supplementation reduces exacerbations in studies.
• Apples + citrus — flavonoids specifically helpful
• AVOID:
  • Sulfites (wine, dried fruits, processed food)
  • Tartrazine (yellow #5)
  • Personal allergen foods
  • Very cold foods (in some patients)
  • Processed / fast food
• GERD-asthma connection — reflux worsens asthma. Limit: chocolate, mint, tomato, coffee, citrus near bedtime.

6. SNAP — antioxidant-rich foods

• Frozen berries — as antioxidant-rich as fresh. Cheaper and last longer.
• Apples (in season) — flavonoids. ~$1-2/lb
• Canned salmon / sardines — economical omega-3. ~$2-3/can
• Citrus (winter) — oranges, grapefruit. ~$1/lb in season.
• Vit D fortified milk + yogurt
• Turmeric, ginger — add to meals for anti-inflammatory boost. ~$1-2/spice

7. School 504 plan — asthma

• 504 plan asthma — asthma qualifies as disability. School MUST allow inhaler at school + nebulizer if needed.
• Self-carry inhaler — all 50 states now permit kids to keep their inhaler
• Asthma action plan — AAFA free template. School + nurse + family coordinate.
• Stocked albuterol — some states allow schools to stock undesignated albuterol for emergencies
• Air quality + outdoor activities — school must modify gym + recess on poor air-quality days

8. Indoor air quality — programs

• EPA Indoor airPLUS — program for homes with moisture + ventilation issues
• HUD Healthy Homes Initiative — grants for fixing low-income home health hazards (mold, ventilation, lead)
• CDC Healthy Homes — cdc.gov/healthyhomes
• Local health department — often provides free HEPA filters for severe asthma
• Mattress + pillow encasements — allergy-blocking. Reduce dust mite exposure.

Need help today?

• 911 — severe asthma / status asthmaticus is emergency
• AAFA — 1-800-727-8462
• American Lung Association — 1-800-LUNGUSA
• NeedyMeds — needymeds.org
• 211 — mention "asthma" for routing

Related resources

• For food allergies →
• For children →
• For Medicaid →

Versión en español →

Last updated 2026-04-30. Feed America Inc. (EIN 92-1761881).