The hidden price of food allergy: Understanding the social and financial burdens on families.

Abstract

Food plays a unique role in culture and identity. For families managing food allergy, the role of food is complex and juxtaposed against the need to avoid known allergens, lest they risk an accidental exposure. While avoidance is simple in its instruction, the hidden prices of food allergy, namely the social and financial burdens on families, are substantial and fluid across the lifespan and in an era of rapid change in food allergy management and therapy. Families face significant impairments in quality of life, health-related quality of life, and food allergy anxiety, in addition to disproportionately higher food costs. The emergence of new food allergy therapies is exciting, but similarly carries high costs, which may not be in the financial reach of many families. Indeed, as a result of excess food costs compared to families not managing food allergy, families managing food allergy are at theoretically higher risk of being food insecure. Owing to these hidden prices, it behooves all involved in the care of patients with food allergy to ensure appropriate diagnoses (i.e., by an Allergist), alongside an allied health team committed to supporting the psychological and nutritional needs of the family.