Allergy & Asthma Network to Highlight Digital Health Innovation and Patient-Centered Communication at APHA 2026

Director of Public Health Engagement, Tori Martel, MPH, CHES, to present research examining how digital health education can better reach communities with the greatest asthma burden

FAIRFAX, Va., Nov. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Allergy & Asthma Network, a national leader in patient-centered research, education and advocacy, is highlighting its expertise in digital health engagement and evidence-based communication at the American Public Health Association (APHA) 2026 Annual Meeting and Expo, taking place November 1–4 in San Antonio, Texas.

Tori Martel, MPH, CHES, Director of Public Health Engagement at Allergy & Asthma Network, will deliver an oral presentation and present a research poster on Tuesday afternoon, November 3. Both examine how digital health education can better reach communities disproportionately affected by asthma and barriers to healthcare.

As digital technologies and social media increasingly shape how people access health information, public health organizations face a critical challenge: ensuring educational campaigns reach not only large audiences but also communities with the greatest health needs. Allergy & Asthma Network is helping address this challenge through data-driven research and patient-centered communication strategies.

"Digital innovation is transforming how people find and engage with health information, but technology alone cannot build trust," said Martel. "We need communication strategies grounded in evidence, informed by patients' lived experiences and responsive to the needs of diverse communities. Our goal is to ensure people have access to reliable information that empowers them to make informed decisions about their health."

Advancing Digital Innovation and Health Equity

Martel will share research findings through two presentations examining how digital health communication can better address asthma-related health disparities:

Oral Presentation: "The Digital Health Paradox: Evaluating Social Media Campaign Reach in High-Burden Asthma Regions," part of the Digital Methods and Strategies for Assessment and Promotion: Use of Apps, AI, and Social Media session.

Poster Presentation: "Linking Digital Engagement with Structural Asthma Inequities: Insights from the OCS Overexposed Campaign and the Asthma Equity Explorer," part of the Navigating Vaccine Information and Developing Patient-Centered Care: Messaging, Misinformation, and Digital Innovations session.

Both presentations draw on research evaluating Allergy & Asthma Network's Oral Corticosteroids (OCS) Overexposed campaign, which educates patients about the risks associated with repeated oral corticosteroid use and encourages informed conversations with healthcare providers. The campaign generated nearly 95,000 social media views, with 62% concentrated in four large states, while selected states with higher asthma burden and barriers to healthcare accounted for smaller shares.

By combining campaign analytics with data from its Asthma Equity Explorer, the research highlights the importance of looking beyond traditional engagement metrics to evaluate whether health education aligns with community needs. The findings point to targeted digital outreach and trusted community partnerships as potential strategies for improving equitable access to public health information.

Bringing the Patient Voice to National Public Health Conversations

APHA's 2026 Annual Meeting and Expo, themed "Together We Thrive: Health Across the Lifespan," is expected to bring together approximately 11,000 public health professionals and partners from around the world at the Henry B. González Convention Center.

For more than 40 years, Allergy & Asthma Network has worked to bridge the gap between medical research and the real-world needs of people living with asthma, allergies and related conditions. Its participation at APHA 2026 reflects an ongoing commitment to advancing public health strategies that connect scientific evidence, digital innovation and patient engagement to improve health outcomes and address disparities.

For Media

Allergy & Asthma Network representatives are available for interviews, background conversations and story development. Journalists interested in discussing digital health communication, misinformation, patient engagement or the organization's participation at APHA 2026 are encouraged to connect with the Network.

About Allergy & Asthma Network

Founded in 1985, Allergy & Asthma Network is the leading nonprofit outreach, education, advocacy and research organization for people living with asthma, allergies and related conditions. Our mission is simple yet profound: to advance patient-centered research and advocate for better outcomes, access to care, education, and treatments that lead to improved health and quality of life. We specialize in making medically accurate information understandable to all, promoting evidence-based care, and fostering collaboration among patients, clinicians, researchers, advocates and policymakers. Learn more at AllergyAsthmaNetwork.org.

Media Contact

Jennifer Wilson | 571-395-8909 | [email protected]

SOURCE Allergy & Asthma Network