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. 2020 Aug 1;20(1):1194.
doi: 10.1186/s12889-020-09309-w.

"I want to really crack this nut": an analysis of parent-perceived policy needs surrounding food allergy

Elissa M Abrams  1 , Elinor Simons  1 , Jennifer Gerdts  2 , Orla Nazarko  3 , Beatrice Povolo  4 , Jennifer L P Protudjer  5
Affiliations

"I want to really crack this nut": an analysis of parent-perceived policy needs surrounding food allergy

Elissa M Abrams et al. BMC Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: In Canada, anaphylaxis-level food allergy constitutes a legal disability. Yet, no nationwide policies exist to support families. We sought to understand what parents of children with food allergy perceive as the most pressing food allergy-related policy concerns in Canada.

Methods: Between March-June 2019, we interviewed 23 families whose food allergic children (N = 28mean age 7.9 years) attending an allergy clinic in Winnipeg, Canada. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analyzed using content analysis.

Results: Over 40% of children had multiple food allergies, representing most of Health Canada's priority allergens. We identified four themes: (1) High prevalence. High priority?. (2) Food labels can be misleading, (3) Costs and creative ideas, and (4) Do we have to just deal with the status quo around allergies?

Conclusion: Food allergy ought to be a national policy priority, to improve the process for precautionary labelling, to improve funding, educational tools access to care, and knowledge of current allergy guidelines.

Keywords: Children; Food allergy; Patient-oriented research; Perceived needs; Policy; Qualitative.

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Conflict of interest statement

EMA sits on the Healthcare Advisory Board of Food Allergy Canada.

ES declares no real or perceived competing interests in relation to this study.

JG is Executive Director of Food Allergy Canada, and co-leads Canada’s National Food Allergy Action Plan.

ON is a parent advisor to JLPP.

BP is Director, Advocacy & Media Relations, for Food Allergy Canada.

JLPP sits on the steering committee of Canada’s National Food Allergy Action Plan.

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