Asthma is greatly influenced by where someone lives. People who have affordable and accessible health care, clean air, and economic stability have a greater chance of managing and controlling their asthma. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s (AAFA) Asthma Capitals™ Report ranks the largest 100 cities in the continental US by how challenging they are to live in when you have asthma. AAFA publishes this report to show the nationwide burden of asthma. It is a call to action to help 28 million people in the US with asthma.
In 2026, the top 10 asthma capitals are:
- Allentown, PA
- Detroit, MI
- Rochester, NY
- Philadelphia, PA
- Cleveland, OH
- Lakeland, FL
- Syracuse, NY
- Hartford, CT
- Charleston, SC
- Sacramento, CA
The Asthma Capitals report ranking is based on three outcomes: asthma prevalence, asthma-related emergency room visits, and asthma-related deaths. The report also analyzes risk factors that can influence asthma outcomes: poverty, air quality, access to specialist medical care, pollen allergy, medicine use, tobacco policies, and lack of health insurance.
Click here to see the full list as well as the report’s methodology.