E-Greetings from the Allergy Advocacy Association

July 2023

We sincerely hope you and yours are having a lovely summer season.

In this toasty-warm July, we look at interesting new treatments for allergies that use new technology to address the weaknesses of existing therapies. Summer being the travel season, Congressional support to require epinephrine-auto-injectors on airlines is most timely and builds on the advocacy work of many of this issue. Consistent with well documented healthcare delivery disparities, new research confirms that people of color have more food allergies that white people. While the focus is often on food allergies, it is good to be reminded that bee sting allergies can be just as dangerous. (Pro trip, keep your auto injectors with you at all times.)

Best wishes,
Jon

What is anaphylaxis? How would you recognize an anaphylaxis emergency? And would you know what are the right things to do? For many people, even those that have a life-threatening allergy, the answer is no.

The Allergy Advocacy Association has a solution: Epi Near You New York anaphylaxis emergency training program. This life saving program can be delivered via webinar or face-to-face.

Upon completion you receive:

Free state approved training presentation,
New York State recognized certification, and
Assistance for public entities to obtain a non-patient specific prescription for emergency epinephrine

Find more information on the importance of this training program here.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for your business, school, or group.

Best wishes to one and all!

The Next Generation Of Food Allergy Therapies May Be Coming Soon

While grateful for the current therapies to treat allergies, OIT & Palforzia, neither completely address the concerns of those managing allergies. OIT can be effective for some people in “treating” allergies. It is also time consuming for families and their doctors. It can also be risky to administer, in the doctor’s office and especially when the treatments move into the real life of family, school, and community. It requires a level of diligence that is tricky to maintain. Palforzia was eagerly anticipated, but ultimately failed and the company is no longer developing the drug.

Jeurgen Eckhardt and his team at Forbes magazine, walks us through the next generation of therapies that we’ll be watching closely, in the hope that those managing allergies can shift their focus from “will this food be the one that triggers a scary reaction?” to “I’ve got this. I trust the medication.”

The Next Generation Of Food Allergy Therapies May Be Coming Soon

By Juergen Eckhardt
June 22, 2023

US House Members Call for Epinephrine Auto-Injectors to be Mandated on All Flights

Advocacy at all levels of government is essential in creating a society that is safe for all who are managing allergies. And because people with allergies fly long distances in air planes, it is essential that they be stocked with epinephrine and staffed with people who know how to use it. There are many who advocate for policies that support allergy safety on airlines. Many thanks to Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) and David Valadao (R-CA) for taking a leadership role in requiring the stocking epi-auto-injectors on all flights.

Read the details of their progress and encourage them to continue the push. The allergy community will be watching.

US House Members Call for Epinephrine Auto-Injectors to be Mandated on All Flights

By Dave Bloom
June 22, 2023

Epinephrine is the only drug that can halt and reverse the progression of anaphylaxis, a serious, life-threatening allergic reaction to a food, drug, insect venom, or environmental substance, provided it is administered in a timely fashion. While epinephrine is normally carried in emergency medical kits aboard commercial flights, it is often in vial form that requires a trained medical professional to administer the drug via syringe.

Study Finds People of Color Have More Food Allergies than White People

Like in other areas of our healthcare system where inequities are found, people of color have more food allergies. Jen Christensen of CNN writes of a study by Dr. Mahboobeh Mahdavinia and Dr. Ruchi Gupta that confirms that this is happening. The call for more research into why this is the case is key to remedying this situation.

Read the details here.

Study Finds People of Color Have More Food Allergies than White People

By Jen Christensen, CNN
June 14, 2023

People of color and those in lower income brackets seem to be disproportionately affected by food allergies, compared with people who are White and at higher incomes, a new study finds.

This Summer, Know Your Risk for Insect Sting Allergy

The top nine allergens rightly command most of the focus of allergy management. But insect stings, especially in the summer months, cannot be forgotten as an allergy risk. There are many stories, including our foundational story, of those with undiagnosed insect sting allergies having an anaphylaxis reaction after being stung. Because they are undiagnosed, they are at a higher risk of dying. For HealthDay, Dr. Tod Mahr writes of the risks insect sting allergies and what to do if you do get stung.

Read Dr. Mahr’s recommendations here.

This Summer, Know Your Risk for Insect Sting Allergy

By Todd A. Mahr, MD, HealthDay
June 19, 2023

If you're dreaming of the perfect summer vacation, one element certain to be excluded from that scenario would be an allergic reaction to a stinging insect.

Whether you’re planning to travel within the United States or to a foreign locale, you’ll need to take precautions against stinging insects, especially if you’ve had an allergic reaction to a sting in the past.

According to a recent article in Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, the scientific journal of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, between 56% and 94% of people are stung in their lifetime. Of those, about 3% involve an allergic reaction.

The article examines types of stinging insects, circumstances under which a sting is likely to take place, precautions to take to avoid stings and treatments to consider if you’ve been stung.