The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, established in 1942, is a professional association of more than 5,000 allergists/immunologists and allied health professionals. Its mission is to promote excellence in the practice of the subspecialty of allergy and immunology. The College fosters a culture of collaboration and congeniality in which its members work together and with others toward the common goals of patient care, education, advocacy and research.
The association provides its members with continuing medical education, publications, and representation to managed care organizations, medical organizations, consumer and patient groups, and government and regulatory agencies. The College also develops and disseminates educational information to patients, other physicians, health professionals and health plan administrators.
Board-certified allergists-immunologists complete a three-year residency in either pediatrics or internal medicine, followed by a two-year approved fellowship in allergy and immunology. These physicians are subspecialists in asthma, allergic diseases, and immune disorders
Mission Statement
The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology promotes excellence in the practice of the sub specialty of allergy and immunology.
Vision Statement
The College fosters a culture of collaboration and congeniality in which its members work together and with others toward the common goals of patient care, education, advocacy and research.
Values Statement
The core values of the ACAAI are high ethical standards in providing quality patient care while advancing the specialty and supporting the practicing allergist.
ACAAI Initiatives
Public Education:
Find an Allergist, Find Relief Campaign: The nation’s allergists offer new tools to help patients find relief. By answering questions about their symptoms in the online Relief Self-Test, visitors can receive a personal plan to eliminate their suffering. The site also has a calculator that reveals the total time spent suffering from allergy and asthma symptoms over a lifetime. It offers tips for managing spring allergies; general information about allergies, asthma and other allergic diseases; an e-newsletter with the latest updates; podcasts and videos on allergies and asthma; and an allergist locator. Personal stories of patients who worked with an allergist to treat their allergies and asthma also are available online. The College conducts a national media campaign to publicize the Web and raise public awareness about allergic diseases.
Nationwide Asthma Screening Program: Through the ACAAI Nationwide Asthma Screening Program, members conduct more than 250 free asthma screenings across the country every year. Since 1996, more than 110,000 adults and children have been screened through the program. The College conducts a national media campaign to publicize the screenings and raise public awareness about asthma.
HOME: Home Allergy Management for Everyone: With the fight for allergy prevention increasingly focused on the home, the ACAAI launched HOME: Home Allergy Management for Everyone, a new program aimed at managing exposure to indoor allergens. The online resource features five important steps, room-by-room tips, information on different types of prominent indoor allergens, and an interactive Allergy Index Indoor Rating Tool with customized information on how to manage exposure to allergens in the home.
Connections to Health Care: The ACAAI “Connections to Health Care” Program helps patients receive the best health plan benefits for allergy and asthma care. Central to the program is a brochure, Checking Up on the Best Health Plans.
Be S.A.F.E. Managing Allergic Emergencies: For managing allergic emergencies (anaphylaxis), the ACAAI “Be S.A.F.E.” program educates patients on how to be prepared for a severe allergic reaction.