"Black People Like Me": A virtual conference series to engage underserved patients with asthma in patient centered outcomes research

Health disparities in allergic diseases

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Healthcare disparities impact prevalence, diagnosis, and management of allergic disease. The purpose of this review is to highlight the most recent evidence of healthcare disparities in allergic conditions to provide healthcare providers with better understanding of the factors contributing to disparities and to provide potential management approaches to address them. This review comes at a time in medicine where it is well documented that disparities exist, but we seek to answer the Why , How and What to do next?

RECENT FINDINGS

The literature highlights the socioeconomic factors at play including race/ ethnicity, neighborhood, insurance status and income. Management strategies have been implemented with the hopes of mitigating the disparate health outcomes including utilization of school-based health, distribution of educational tools and more inclusive research recruitment.

SUMMARY

The studies included describe the associations between upstream structural and social factors with downstream outcomes and provide ideas that can be recreated at other institutions of how to address them. Focus on research and strategies to mitigate healthcare disparities and improve diverse research participant pools are necessary to improve patient outcomes in the future.

Reaching Communities Through Food Allergy Advocacy, Research, and Education: A Comprehensive Analysis

This article explores the multifaceted approach of food allergy (FA) advocacy, research, and education to address the diverse challenges associated with FA, such as disparities in socioeconomic status, food security, quality of life, and the overall burden of the disease. Advocacy initiatives are instrumental in driving policy changes, raising public awareness, and directing substantial research funding, with a focus on reducing disparities. They have influenced allergen labeling regulations and improved access to epinephrine, emphasizing the importance of school-based management plans, especially in underserved communities. Research in FA informs medical practices and offers them hope for improved treatments. Recent breakthroughs in peanut allergy prevention and oral immunotherapy trials exemplify the potential for advancements while highlighting the need to address disparities in health care access. Education is a critical tool for prevention, raising awareness, and reducing the risk of allergic reactions. Efforts should be tailored to reach marginalized communities, particularly in schools where education on FA management is essential. Collaborating directly with communities is imperative to ensure inclusivity and address disparities. Barriers such as mistrust, language and cultural differences, and lack of diversity among researchers must be overcome to encourage diverse participation in research studies. This article concludes by emphasizing the significance of a comprehensive approach to FA research that prioritizes equity and inclusivity. The call to action highlights the need for global initiatives to reshape the landscape of FA care and address disparities in health care access and outcomes.