Safer Skies Ahead: Congress Approves Legislation Requiring Updates to Airline Emergency Medical Kits
2024年5月16日 - 3:59AM
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) is celebrating
Congressional action that could lead to safer skies for travelers
with potentially life-threatening allergies. The U.S. House and
Senate passed legislation reauthorizing the Federal Aviation
Administration that includes a requirement that emergency medical
kits (EMKs) on airplanes be equipped to treat anaphylaxis, a
serious allergic reaction that progresses rapidly.
“This legislation represents a tremendous step forward for
people with food allergies traveling on commercial airplanes,” said
Kenneth Mendez, president and CEO of AAFA. "Ready access to
easy-to-use epinephrine can save lives. The requirements
established in this bill will help ensure that this first-line
treatment for anaphylaxis is available for use on all commercial
flights."
“Sen. Tammy Duckworth’s tenacious leadership on the EMK issue
made this possible, and we thank her for seeing the legislation
across the finish line,” Mendez added.
The legislation includes anaphylaxis among the conditions that
EMKs on commercial planes must be equipped to treat. Additionally,
the reauthorization calls for a review of the contents of these
medical kits at least every five years. AAFA has consistently
called on the FAA and Congress to act to ensure easy-to-use
epinephrine is available on commercial airplanes.
AAFA’s work on this issue dates back to 2018 and includes
briefing House and Senate staff on the importance of updating EMKs,
including key committee leadership. AAFA also connected people with
food allergies with their Members of Congress to ensure patient
voices were heard. In 2023, more than 300 AAFA advocates contacted
Congress urging action on this issue.
“We’re grateful that lawmakers heard the voices of people with
food allergies and included language that will ensure EMKs are
updated as new treatments emerge,” said Jenna Riemenschneider,
Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy at AAFA. “Today, that would
mean including auto-injectors. But in the future, it could include
other treatments such as nasal spray or under-the-tongue
epinephrine. This is a significant change from the current standard
and has the potential to make a difference in how serious allergic
reactions on flights are treated."
AAFA met with key stakeholders to amplify the importance of
updating EMKs, including the Federal Aviation Administration, the
Flight Attendants Association, Aerospace Medical Association, and
Airlines for America.
Alexa Jordan, an advocate for updating EMKs with easy-to-use
epinephrine, was a college student when she experienced anaphylaxis
on a flight. The experience led her to work with AAFA to push
Congress and the FAA to make changes.
"I remember thinking to myself, 'I will never let this happen to
anyone again,'" said Jordan. "I called Senator Duckworth’s office
the day after my mid-flight reaction because I knew this was an
obvious bipartisan piece of legislation we could all agree on. We
want to keep all 20 million of us with food allergies safe on
flights, and I think Section 368 (the portion of the FAA
reauthorization that addresses EMKs) is an impactful first step.
AAFA reached out early to me in my advocacy, and their team has
been such a support to the Senator’s efforts."
Jordan launched a
petition asking for EMK updates that received more than 200,000
signatures and her persistent advocacy ultimately paid
off.
"What I learned in this
process is that our elected officials do listen to us when we are
brave enough to raise our voices. It is easy to become discouraged
by the length of time it takes to get bills passed, but this should
not discourage us from writing letters to our representatives,
organizing lobbying trips to the Capitol, or talking to our friends
about change we know is needed.”
The legislation’s passage
coincides with Food Allergy Awareness Week (May 12-18) and the 40th
anniversary of National Asthma and Allergy Awareness
Month.
Throughout the month of
May, AAFA is raising awareness of the impact of conditions such as
food allergies and highlighting education and advocacy
activities.
For more information,
including a full calendar of events, fact sheets, infographics and
more: aafa.org/awareness.
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About
AAFA Founded in 1953, AAFA is the oldest and largest
non-profit patient organization dedicated to saving lives and
reducing the burden of disease for people with asthma, allergies,
and related conditions through research, education, advocacy, and
support. AAFA offers extensive support for individuals and families
affected by asthma and allergic diseases, such as food allergies
and atopic dermatitis (eczema). Through its online patient support
communities, network of regional chapters, and collaborations with
community-based groups, AAFA empowers patients and their families
by providing practical, evidence-based information and community
programs and services. AAFA is the only asthma and allergy patient
advocacy group that is certified to meet the standards of
excellence set by the National Health Council. For more
information, visit: aafa.org.
- AAFA Visits FAA
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Andy Spears
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
2029741223
media@aafa.org