Food allergies are a public health crisis we can no longer ignore

Nearly every American is touched by serious chronic illness, either as a patient or as a caregiver. The federal government recognizes the far-reaching effects of such conditions, and agencies like the National Institutes of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conduct surveillance of these diseases. Such research allows us to better understand the burden of different diseases, develop new treatments and prevention practices, and protect the public’s health. And it is why surveillance programs exist for virtually every major disease and illness impacting the American public. Despite this fact, there is no equivalent program in place for the 15 million Americans with food allergies. The need for more reliable data is even more critical in the wake of new findings that anaphylactic reactions to food have increased at a staggering pace over the past decade, rising 377 percent between 2007 and 2016. The fivefold spike in insurance claims for food-induced anaphylaxis is yet another indication that food allergies are a significant and growing public health concern that demand greater attention from scientists, policymakers, public health officials and health care providers. As members of the Outcomes Research Advisory Board (ORAB) established by Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), we are well aware of the urgent need for better data about the prevalence, severity, and effects of food allergies. Our participation in the ORAB is part of a multifaceted effo...
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: General Medicine Authors: Tags: Conditions Allergies & Immunology Pediatrics Primary Care Source Type: blogs