[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Advocacy T-Hero Section” module_class=”hero tert” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”https:\/\/aafa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/AAFA-Website_Tertiary_Advocacy.jpg” background_position=”top_right” custom_padding=”1%||1%||true|false” global_module=”2187″ saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_image=”off” background_size=”initial” background_position=”bottom_left” background_horizontal_offset=”0%” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”2%||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Nav Parent Title” module_class=”tert-parent” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_align=”left” header_2_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_2_font_size=”32px” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code admin_label=”Breadcrumbs” module_class=”bcrumb” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”left” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_css_main_element=”font-size:16px;||color: #fff;” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Main Content” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_image=”off” background_size=”initial” background_position=”bottom_right” custom_padding=”2%||2%||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”H2 + Intro Content” module_class=”secondary-intro” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_font_size=”28px” text_line_height=”1.5em” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008c99″ header_2_font_size=”39px” custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Food allergy \u2013 a potentially life-threatening condition with no known cure \u2013 affects millions of people in the U.S. About 20 million people have food allergies in the U.S., including about 4 million U.S. children.1,2<\/sup><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Body Content” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ link_font=”||||on|||#008c99|” link_text_color=”#008c99″ header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008c99″ header_2_font_size=”39px” header_3_font=”|600|||||||” header_3_text_align=”left” header_3_text_color=”#008c99″ header_3_font_size=”28px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n A\u00a0food allergy\u00a0occurs when the body\u2019s immune system sees a certain food as harmful and reacts by causing symptoms. This is an\u00a0allergic reaction. Allergic reactions can involve the skin, mouth, eyes, lungs, heart, gut, and brain.<\/p>\n Mild and severe symptoms can lead to a serious allergic reaction called\u00a0anaphylaxis<\/a>. This reaction usually involves more than one part of the body and can worsen quickly. Anaphylaxis must be treated right away to provide the best chance for improvement and prevent serious, potentially life-threatening complications.\u00a0Epinephrine is the only treatment for anaphylaxis.<\/p>\n Although much has been learned about food allergy management and treatment, there are still many unanswered questions. Through advocacy, education\u00a0and research AAFA aims to improve the lives of people all over the U.S. that are living with food allergies.<\/p>\n AAFA supports policies and laws that save lives and improve the quality of life for millions of individuals and families managing food allergies. AAFA’s food allergy division, Kids with Food Allergies, is an active online community of food allergy advocates. We listen to our community members and other key stakeholders to help identify key advocacy priorities, including:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_accordion open_toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” open_toggle_background_color=”#f0f0f0″ closed_toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” closed_toggle_background_color=”#f0f0f0″ toggle_icon=”L||divi||400″ icon_color=”#FFFFFF” use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_font_size=”20px” admin_label=”Accordions” module_class=”accord” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” toggle_font=”|600|||||||” toggle_font_size=”22px” closed_toggle_font=”|600|||||||” closed_toggle_font_size=”22px” body_text_color=”#505050″ body_font_size=”16px” body_link_font=”||||on|||#008C99|” text_orientation=”left” custom_margin=”||2%||false|false” border_width_all=”0px” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Closed” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”AAFA’s Position Statements on Food Allergy Policies” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n AAFA Comments on New Model for School Health Services in DC<\/a> AAFA Letter About Rising Costs of Epinephrine Auto-Injectors<\/a> Air Travel and Disabilities<\/a> Allergy Protocols in Federal Facilities<\/a> South Carolina\u2019s Emergency Anaphylaxis Treatment Act<\/a> Food Labeling Modernization Act<\/a> FDA Allergenic Products Advisory Committee Spoken Comments<\/a> Institute of Medicine Food Allergy Study<\/a> View more position statements and a comment letter from AAFA.<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Food Allergy Research” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n AAFA supports policies that encourage more food allergy related research, including improved nationwide, representative prevalence data. Better data on the prevalence of specific food allergies, including trends over time, can help inform policy and education efforts.\u00a0 In addition, more information about the health, social, and economic impacts of food allergy will allow a better understanding of the scope of challenges that our community brings to our attention every day.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n AAFA will work with partners in the food allergy community and with the relevant federal agencies to support implementation of these important goals, including through implementation of the FASTER Act, which requires HHS to report to Congress on ongoing efforts regarding food allergy surveillance and research. In addition, AAFA will draw on new allergy data to help shape ongoing food allergy policy at the federal and state levels.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”AAFA Co-Sponsored Report with the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]With support from AAFA, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine released a monumental report that makes recommendations to increase our understanding of and approaches to food allergies<\/a>. [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Federal Publications and Resources” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]What You Need to Know About Food Allergies<\/a> Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Food Allergy in the United States<\/a> Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Food Allergy in the United States: Summary for Patients, Families and Caregivers<\/a> 1. Ng, A.E. & Boersma, P. (2023).\u00a0NCHS Data Brief, no 460: Diagnosed allergic conditions in adults: United States, 2021.<\/em>\u00a0National Center for Health Statistics.\u00a0https:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.15620\/cdc:122809<\/a><\/p>\n 2. Zablotsky, B., Black, L.I., & Akinbami, L.J.(2023).\u00a0NCHS Data Brief, no 459: Diagnosed allergic conditions in children aged 0-17 years: United States, 2021.<\/em>\u00a0National Center for Health Statistics.\u00a0https:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.15620\/cdc:123250<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code admin_label=”Print” module_id=”print” module_class=”clearfix” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_module=”5156″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]AAFA’s Food Allergy Advocacy Priorities<\/h3>\n
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AAFA provided comments expressing concern over the new model for school health services that will be implemented in D.C. public schools and public charter schools starting in January 2017.<\/p>\n
AAFA\u2019s former CEO addresses issues of access and affordability of life-saving epinephrine auto-injectors.<\/p>\n
AAFA commented to the Department of Transportation explaining why asthma and allergies should be taken into consideration as disabilities during airline travel.<\/p>\n
AAFA sent a letter to Federal Occupational Health (FOH) in support of epinephrine stocking and improved allergy policies in federal facilities.<\/p>\n
AAFA sent a letter in support of South Carolina\u2019s Emergency Anaphylaxis Treatment Act, which would expand access to epinephrine in public places.<\/p>\n
AAFA sent a letter to the sponsors of the Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2015 to thank them for introducing the legislation.<\/p>\n
Former AAFA CEO Cary Sennett represented allergy patients\u2019 perspective in testimony before the FDA\u2019s Allergenic Products Advisory Committee.<\/p>\n
AAFA commented to the Institute of Medicine regarding the study, Food Allergies: Global Burden, Causes, Treatment, Prevention, and Public Policy<\/em>.<\/p>\n
\nThis food allergy fact sheet from the Food and Drug Administration provides what you need to know about food allergies, FDA labeling and what to do if an allergic reaction occurs.<\/p>\n
\nThe National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) worked with more than 30 professional organizations, federal agencies and patient advisory groups to develop a list of \u201cbest practice” clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of food allergies. These guidelines were developed for allergists\/immunologists, clinical researchers and practitioners.<\/p>\n
\nThe National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) worked with many professional organizations, federal agencies and patient advocacy groups to develop guidelines on food allergy for health care professionals. This booklet summarizes these guidelines and encourages patient-doctor conversations about food allergy. This booklet is meant to provide patients, families and caregivers with the knowledge they need to manage their food allergies.[\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][et_pb_text admin_label=”References” module_class=”clearfix” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_font_size=”16px” link_text_color=”#008C99″ link_font_size=”16px” header_5_font=”|600|||||||” header_5_text_align=”left” header_5_text_color=”#008c99″ custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nReferences\u200b<\/h5>\n