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Jefferson AA, Davidson L, Scurlock AM, Stern J. Food Insecurity and Health Inequities in Food Allergy. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2024; 24:155-160. [PMID: 38421593 DOI: 10.1007/s11882-024-01134-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The intersection of food insecurity among those with food allergy is a growing public health concern. Both food allergy and food insecurity have profound implications on health, social, and economic outcomes. The interaction of social determinants of health, poverty, racism, housing insecurity, and access to care has direct impact on individuals with food allergy. RECENT FINDINGS There is increasing evidence that universal screening for food insecurity is vital in the routine care of patients with food allergy. Individuals with food allergy who are also burdened by food insecurity face unique challenges related to the need to maintain dietary modifications often with expensive specialized diets, which are difficult to access. This may lead to limited dietary options, malnutrition, increased financial burden, and social isolation. While there are available resources and support systems that can assist individuals with food allergies in managing food insecurity, there is an increasing need for advocacy and inclusivity in policy frameworks involving multiple stakeholders. Multi-sector efforts involving healthcare providers and advocacy and government agencies are necessary to support policy changes that protect the rights and well-being of individuals affected by food allergy and food insecurity. By increasing awareness, improving access to safe, affordable, allergen-free food, and advocating for policy change, we can work toward ensuring universal access to safe, nutritious food for all individuals, regardless of their food allergy status or socioeconomic background.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akilah A Jefferson
- Department of Pediatrics, Allergy & Immunology Division, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 13 Children's Way, Slot 512-13, Little Rock, AR, 72202, USA
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Lauren Davidson
- Department of Medicine, The University of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Amy M Scurlock
- Department of Pediatrics, Allergy & Immunology Division, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 13 Children's Way, Slot 512-13, Little Rock, AR, 72202, USA.
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA.
| | - Jessica Stern
- Department of Medicine, The University of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
- Department of Pediatrics and Medicine, Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Pediatric Allergy and ImmunologyThe University of RochesterSchool of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
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Bingemann TA, LeBovidge J, Bartnikas L, Protudjer JLP, Herbert LJ. Psychosocial Impact of Food Allergy on Children and Adults and Practical Interventions. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2024; 24:107-119. [PMID: 38261244 DOI: 10.1007/s11882-023-01121-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW IgE- and non-IgE-mediated food allergies are increasing in prevalence in children and adults worldwide. A food allergy diagnosis can be associated with a sense of overwhelm and stress and commonly has a negative impact on quality of life. RECENT FINDINGS While there is an increased recognition of the psychosocial effects of food allergy, the current research reflects the experience of mostly White, well-educated wealthier populations. Some studies have now explored the psychosocial impact among other populations; however, further study is needed. It is important that physicians and allied health professionals screen for the potentially negative psychosocial effects of food allergy and provide education to promote safety and self-efficacy at each visit; however, time may be a limiting factor. Numerous validated questionnaires are now available to help assess the psychosocial impact of food allergies. Allergy-friendly foods are typically more expensive, and thus, it is imperative that physicians screen for food insecurity as well. Educational resources should be offered regarding living well with food allergies at each visit. For patients and families experiencing anxiety or food allergy burden that is difficult to manage, referral to a mental health provider should be considered. Resources regarding programs to help accessing safe foods should also be available. Further research is needed among diverse populations focusing on interventions to best support patients and families with food allergy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa A Bingemann
- Departments of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology and Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 695, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA.
| | - Jennifer LeBovidge
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lisa Bartnikas
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jennifer L P Protudjer
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Department of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- George Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Linda J Herbert
- Division of Psychology &, Behavioral Health, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
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Perry TT, Grant TL, Dantzer JA, Udemgba C, Jefferson AA. Impact of socioeconomic factors on allergic diseases. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2024; 153:368-377. [PMID: 37967769 PMCID: PMC10922531 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2023.10.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Allergic and immunologic conditions, including asthma, food allergy, atopic dermatitis, and allergic rhinitis, are among the most common chronic conditions in children and adolescents that often last into adulthood. Although rare, inborn errors of immunity are life-altering and potentially fatal if unrecognized or untreated. Thus, allergic and immunologic conditions are both medical and public health issues that are profoundly affected by socioeconomic factors. Recently, studies have highlighted societal issues to evaluate factors at multiple levels that contribute to health inequities and the potential steps toward closing those gaps. Socioeconomic disparities can influence all aspects of care, including health care access and quality, diagnosis, management, education, and disease prevalence and outcomes. Ongoing research, engagement, and deliberate investment of resources by relevant stakeholders and advocacy approaches are needed to identify and address the impact of socioeconomics on health care disparities and outcomes among patients with allergic and immunologic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara T Perry
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Ark; Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, Ark.
| | - Torie L Grant
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md
| | | | - Chioma Udemgba
- National Institute of Allergic and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md
| | - Akilah A Jefferson
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Ark; Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, Ark
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Ruran HB, Dupuis R, Herbert LJ, D'Anna RK, Dahlberg SE, Young MC, Sicherer SH, Bartnikas LM. Parental awareness and management of bullying in children with food allergies. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY. IN PRACTICE 2023; 11:3257-3259.e2. [PMID: 37406807 PMCID: PMC10592494 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2023.06.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Hana B Ruran
- Department of Medicine, Division of Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass; Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio; Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Roxanne Dupuis
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Mass
| | - Linda J Herbert
- Division of Psychology and Behavioral Health, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC; Department of Pediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC
| | - Rachel K D'Anna
- Biostatistics and Research Design Center, Institutional Centers for Clinical and Translational Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass
| | - Suzanne E Dahlberg
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass
| | - Michael C Young
- Department of Medicine, Division of Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
| | - Scott H Sicherer
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy and Immunology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Lisa M Bartnikas
- Department of Medicine, Division of Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.
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Smith M. Historical and social science perspectives on food allergy. Clin Exp Allergy 2023; 53:902-910. [PMID: 37309241 PMCID: PMC10946501 DOI: 10.1111/cea.14360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This article provides an overview of the insights social scientists, historians and other health humanities scholars have made to our understanding of food allergies. It shows how humanities and social science scholars have tended to address three pivotal issues related to food allergies: first, they have addressed the epidemiology of food allergies, including the apparent rise in the rate of food allergies and the emergence of theories that purport to explain why food allergies may be increasing. These include theories related to changes in food consumption and the hygiene hypothesis. Second, humanities and social science scholars have researched how risks related to food allergies have been constructed, understood, experienced and mitigated. Third, humanities and social science scholars have investigated the experiences of food allergy sufferers and those who care for them, providing valuable qualitative insights that can inform how we respond to food allergy and our understanding of the aetiology of food allergy. The article concludes with three recommendations. First, there should be a more interdisciplinary approach to food allergy research that involves social scientists and health humanities scholars. Second, humanities and social sciences scholars should be more willing to unpack and scrutinise the theories put forward to explain the aetiology of food allergies, rather than accepting them at face value. And finally, humanities and social sciences scholars can play a major role in ensuring that the experiences of patients and their carers are articulated and fed into debates about food allergy, including its causes and how to respond to it.
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Ruran HB, Bartnikas LM. Multifood allergy: More than meets the eye. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2023; 130:540-541. [PMID: 37137600 DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2023.01.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Hana B Ruran
- Division of Immunology, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lisa M Bartnikas
- Division of Immunology, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
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Dupuis R, Phipatanakul W, Bartnikas LM. Social disparities in early childhood prevention and management of food allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2023; 151:37-41. [PMID: 36608981 PMCID: PMC9830563 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2022.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Food allergy (FA) affects 8% of US children. Navigating and managing FA permeates across multiple facets of childhood. In this article, we review research on social disparities in feeding practices, managing meals, and selecting childcare and schools. Key highlights include the following: (1) although preference for breast-feeding or formula feeding does not reduce FA risk, there are disparities in access to formula that may affect children with FA; (2) disparities likely exist in the early introduction to allergenic foods, though additional research is needed to identify barriers to following the most recent consensus guidelines on early introduction; (3) families with limited income face challenges in providing safe meals for their children; (4) disparities exist in early childcare options for preschool-age children, though there is a lack of research on FA practices in these settings; and (5) there is evidence that schools with different student demographics implement different types of FA policies. Further research is needed to better understand and characterize social disparities in FA prevention and management in early childhood and to develop evidence-based strategies to reduce them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxanne Dupuis
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Mass
| | - Wanda Phipatanakul
- Department of Medicine, Division of Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
| | - Lisa M Bartnikas
- Department of Medicine, Division of Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.
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Leeds S, Nowak-Wegrzyn A. Defining socioeconomic and racial disparities in food allergy: The time is now. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2022; 129:391-392. [PMID: 36155692 DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2022.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Nowak-Wegrzyn
- Department of Pediatrics, Hassenfeld Children's Hospital, NYU R. Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York; Department of Pediatrics, Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Polan.
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