Talking Food Allergy Allergic Living

In Episode 4 of Allergic Living’s series on racial disparities in food allergies, Dr. Ruchi Gupta of Northwestern University and Dr. Carla Davis of Baylor College of Medicine discuss the high rates of food allergy in the Black and Latinx communities. They explore the higher odds of multiple food allergies in these communities, but the lower chance of patients seeing an allergist or carrying epinephrine. Dr. Gupta explains findings from her groundbreaking prevalence studies, while Dr. Davis speaks of witnessing the difference education can make. In a major Houston school district, only 15 percent of food-allergic Black children had been carrying epinephrine. Dr. Davis says a program to train school nurses to educate Black families about epinephrine and how to access it, brought remarkable change. “We were able to increase the number of children who had available epinephrine to about 85 percent,” she says.Dr. Ruchi Gupta is a professor of pediatrics and medicine at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, and Director of Northwestern’s Center for Food Allergy & Asthma Research (CFAAR). She is also an attending physician at Chicago’s Lurie Children’s Hospital. Dr. Gupta is nationally recognized for her research in food allergy and asthma epidemiology, particularly for her work on the prevalence of child and adult food allergies. For more information, visit the CFAAR website.Dr. Carla Davis is an associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics, allergy and immunology section, at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. She is also Director of the Food Allergy Program at Texas Children’s Hospital, and has clinical trials underway in the area of food allergic treatments and diagnostic methods. As well, she heads a robust education program to ensure the safety of food-allergic children in Texas schools. Visit the website at Texas Children’s.Host Jen Jobrack is a nationally known food allergy expert, who has worked for the allergy community in areas of public policy, legislation, education and awareness-raising. Her legislative work includes campaigns such as access to epinephrine in the schools. Jen is the founder of Food Allergy Pros.





















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All Talking Food Allergies Episodes



Related Resources All Talking Food Allergy PodcastsFood Allergy and Asthma: Burden on the Black CommunityGupta Team’s Study of Childhood Food Allergies in the U.S.Gupta Team’s Study Finds Doubling of Adult Food Allergy

In Episode 3 of Allergic Living’s series on racial disparities in food allergies, Thomas Silvera and Ondina Hawthorne-Silvera of the Elijah-Alavi Foundation explain how their young son’s death from anaphylaxis in 2017 lit a fire in them to protect allergic children at preschools across the U.S. They speak of the mission behind New York State’s Elijah’s Law and why they’re committed to expand it to other states.The Silveras are passionate about taking action for those with food allergies, and particularly concerned about the lack of allergy and asthma education at childcare centers in underserved communities. “The disparities are there and we need to make a change,” says Thomas Silvera. Elijah’s Law is just the start of their plans. “This is our life’s work – 24/7.” Thomas Silvera and Ondina Hawthorne-Silvera are co-founders of the Elijah-Alavi Foundation. As well, Dina Hawthorne-Silvera is a special education teacher, singer/ songwriter and author of an affecting book on personal grief called “Good Mourning”. Thomas Silvera is a surgical technologist who is pursuing a degree in health education & sciences. Visit the Elijahalavifoundation.org, and see the Forty-Five 4/5 giving campaign.Host Jen Jobrack is a nationally known food allergy expert, who has worked for the allergy community in areas of public policy, legislation, education and awareness-raising. Her legislative work includes campaigns such as access to epinephrine in the schools. Jen is the founder of Food Allergy Pros.





















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All Talking Food Allergies Episodes



Related Resources Elijah’s Law Will Protect Allergic Kids in NY Daycares Food Allergy and Asthma: Burden on the Black Community All Talking Food Allergy PodcastsHoles in the Safety Net for Food Allergy Families

In Episode 2 of Allergic Living’s series on racial disparities in food allergies, emotional intelligence coach Aleasa Word explores: the healthcare experience of Black food allergy parents. She begins with her own encounter with a patronizing ER doctor as her daughter suffered anaphylaxis. She notes: “If you are facing a life-threatening situation, wouldn’t you be upset if you weren’t heard? But when I get angry, I become a threat. My skin makes me a threat. Why is that acceptable?”Ms. Word offers advice for doctors to open the lines of trust with patients, and she explains how to be a better ally to those in the Black community. She brings passion and actionable steps to the disparities conversation. Aleasa Word is an emotional intelligence coach, diversity strategist consultant and trainer. She has a background in conflict resolution, trauma and organizational behavior. Her company website is AWordandcompany.com. As a food allergy advocate, she is founder of Compassionforanaphylaxis.com.Host Jen Jobrack is a nationally known food allergy expert, who has worked for the allergy community in areas of public policy, legislation, education and awareness-raising. Her legislative work includes campaigns such as access to epinephrine in the schools. Jen is the founder of Food Allergy Pros.

















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All Talking Food Allergies Episodes



Related ResourcesAll Talking Food Allergy Podcasts Food Allergy and Asthma: Burden on the Black CommunityHoles in the Safety Net for Food Allergy Families

In the first of our series on racial disparities in food allergies, Emily Brown of Food Equality Initiative speaks on: food insecurity and shortcomings of the food bank system for those with allergies and celiac disease. She also identifies the urgent need to prioritize Black and minority patients in food allergy research, advocacy and programming. Ms. Brown says: “Above all, we want to be heard. There’s a sense of not being heard.”



Emily Brown is the founder and CEO of Food Equality Initiative. The Kansas City-based nonprofit provides allergy-friendly and gluten-free foods to food-insecure families through its food pantry. As well, FEI works to fix the charitable food system so that medically necessary foods get into the hands of those who need them. 



Host Jen Jobrack is a nationally known food allergy expert, who has worked for the allergy community in areas of public policy, legislation, education and awareness-raising. Her legislative work includes campaigns such as access to epinephrine in the schools. Jen is the founder of Food Allergy Pros.

















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All Talking Food Allergy Episodes



Related Resources Holes in the Safety Net for Food Allergy FamiliesFood Allergy and Asthma: Burden on the Black Community

Tamara Hubbard, licensed clinical professional counselor, speaks to host Jen Jobrack on how food allergy families can manage during the Coronavirus crisis. Tamara offers great advice on how to “challenge worry thoughts” on issues like the food supply or what if your child has anaphylaxis and needs the hospital. The counselor has ideas for self-care in Coronavirus times. She speaks about replacing anxiety with resolve, planning and readiness. You’ll come away from this podcast saying: “I can do this, we will get through this.” Tamara Hubbard is licensed clinical professional counselor in the Chicago area, who often works with food allergy families. See her additional coping resources here.    Host Jen Jobrack is a nationally known food allergy expert, who has worked for the allergy community in areas of public policy, legislation, education and awareness-raising. Her legislative work includes campaigns such as access to epinephrine in the schools. Jen is the founder of Food Allergy Pros.





















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All Talking Food Allergy Episodes



Related Reading: COVID-19 & Allergies Resources HubSurvey of Allergy-Friendly Food Makers in Coronavirus CrisisEmpty Shelves: How Food Allergy Families are Coping with COVID-19

Dr. Sarah Boudreau-Romano, allergist and allergy mom, speaks to host Jen Jobrack on: allergy diagnosis and mom guilt, and learning to let go with teens on food allergy management – “he wants the power and it’s tough to let him share that.” Other topics in this candid and heartfelt discussion include partnering with the school, and the surprise onset of Dr. Boudreau-Romano’s own food allergy.Dr. Boudreau-Romano is an allergist at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago and an assistant professor of pediatrics at Northwestern University’s school of medicine.Host Jen Jobrack is a nationally known food allergy expert, who has worked for the allergy community in areas of public policy, legislation, education and awareness-raising. Her legislative work includes campaigns such as access to epinephrine in the schools. Jen is the founder of Food Allergy Pros.



















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