Current standards of care advise patients to avoid their problem foods and carry epinephrine. Every bite must be managed, and a single mistake can be deadly. Managing food allergy can also create a financial strain, costing U.S. families nearly $25 billion annually.
A survey of more than 500 patients and caregivers participating in the FARE Patient Registry® highlights the psychosocial toll of this disease.
- About two-thirds of respondents reported mental health concerns relating to food allergy
- Only one in six patients and one in seven caregivers had received mental health services addressing those concerns.
- More than half of respondents wanted resources to help them cope with food allergy anxiety and stress
FARE is taking steps to strengthen and expand the mental health safety net for individuals and families managing food allergy by promoting a patient-centered approach to food allergy research that incorporates support services those participating in clinical trials, and sponsoring innovations in diagnostics to replace oral food challenges with less stressful forms of testing.
