Asthma and Allergy Foundation Announces Sponsorship of Institute of Medicine Study on Food Allergy
Washington, DC (PRWEB) June 24, 2015 -- Food allergy—a potentially life-threatening condition with no known cure—affects nearly 15 million people in the United States, including 1 in 13 children. Although much has been learned about food allergy management and treatment, there are still many unanswered questions. To address these gaps in knowledge, research and data, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) announces its co-sponsorship of a new Institute of Medicine (IOM) consensus study on food allergy.
The study, “Food Allergies: Global Burden, Causes, Treatment, Prevention and Public Policy,” will engage a broad array of stakeholders, including government agencies, academic institutions, industries, policy makers, and patient organization groups in addition to bringing together leading investigators from relevant fields, clinicians, and parents to review issues surrounding food allergy. These issues include the prevalence, severity, and impact of food allergy, as well as the current understanding of food allergy in diagnostics, treatments, prevention and public policy.
“We know how important research is to the food allergy community,” says Lynda Mitchell, AAFA’s Senior Vice President of Community Services, and founder of Kids With Food Allergies (KFA), a division of AAFA. “The Institute of Medicine is a highly respected national adviser of issues related to medicine and health. This is an important study for the food allergy community. AAFA is honored to be involved to represent the patients we serve.”
This study will create a framework for raising public awareness about food allergy and make recommendations on the future direction of food allergy research. AAFA’s participation and involvement in this IOM project further signifies AAFA’s commitment to serve individuals, families, and communities affected by the disease.
The committee’s first meeting was held on June 22, and AAFA’s Senior Vice President of Advocacy, Policy and Research, Meryl Bloomrosen, presented to the committee. A final report is expected to be issued in approximately 16 months.
For more information about AAFA or food allergy, visit http://www.aafa.org.
About AAFA
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), a not-for-profit organization founded in 1953, is the leading patient organization for people with asthma, allergies and related conditions. AAFA provides practical information, community-based services and support through a national network of chapters and support groups. AAFA provides health education, organizes state and national advocacy efforts and funds research to find better treatments and cures. For more information, visit http://www.aafa.org.
About KFA
Kids With Food Allergies (KFA) is a division of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. KFA is dedicated to keeping children with food allergies safe and healthy until a cure for food allergy is found. KFA is an essential part of the food allergy and anaphylaxis community offering free education programs for families and caregivers, webinars, an allergy buyers’ guide, an electronic database of allergen-free recipes and more. Most notably, KFA’s website hosts the largest and most active online food allergy and anaphylaxis community, a critical platform for parents and caregivers who want to network with others about raising kids with food allergies and related diseases. KFA has been educating and supporting families since 2005. KFA became a division of AAFA in 2013. For more information visit http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org.
Sanaz Eftakari, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, http://www.aafa.org, +1 202-974-1225, [email protected]
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