Thank you for entrusting KFA as your ally for the food allergy community. Our resources help people manage food allergies with confidence. Our research and advocacy help improve health and empower people to have a voice in decisions that impact their lives.

Thanks to your generous donations, we:

• Advocated for increased access to epinephrine and better food allergen labels so people can better manage food allergies.
• Released a groundbreaking study on a rare type of food allergy called eosinophilic esophagitis. This report calls attention to the burden of disease and unmet diagnostic and treatment needs.
• Provided support and education so people can successfully manage food allergies and live a full, active life.

Below are some of the ways you made a difference to people living with and managing food allergies.

UNDERSTANDING WHAT MATTERS MOST

KFA actively engages people who live with or manage food allergies, asthma, and related conditions in research to understand what it’s like to live with these conditions and what’s missing from current treatment options. This research helps ensure new treatments and health policies meet the needs of those they intend to serve.

Together we published the following important research:

• Factors Associated with Epinephrine Use in the Treatment of Anaphylaxis in Infants and Toddlers in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. This study highlights the importance of anaphylaxis action plans for infants and toddlers. Infants and toddlers who were provided with anaphylaxis action plans were 5 times more likely to be treated with epinephrine than those without anaphylaxis action plans.

• Life with EoE: The Patient Experience and Opportunities to Improve Care in the U.S. Report in collaboration with the American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders (APFED). This groundbreaking report revealed the challenges and opportunities for care for a rare, but increasing allergic condition known as eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE).

• The annual Allergy Capitals™ and Asthma Capitals™ reports, which rank the 100 most populated cities in the continental U.S. by factors that make it challenging to live with seasonal allergies and asthma. These reports also raised awareness on important topics that impact allergy and asthma management. Many children with food allergies also develop pollen allergies and asthma.

  • The 2023 Allergy Capitals™ report highlighted three topics related to seasonal allergies: self-care for allergic rhinitis, pollen counts, and the connection between climate change and allergies.
  • The 2023 Asthma Capitals™ highlighted information on Asthma Peak Month, health disparities, and steps people can take to improve health outcomes in their communities.

BUILDING A BRIGHTER TOMORROW

KFA protects the health and safety of the food allergy community. Throughout 2023, KFA engaged a strong network of advocates to raise awareness of the needs and interests of the asthma and allergy community.

Together we were able to advocate for important health policies. Major advocacy accomplishments included:

• Championing the critical issue of access to epinephrine autoinjectors on planes and the need to address the contents of emergency medical kits in this year’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization.
• Advocating for Dillon’s Law, a bill designed to expand access to epinephrine to any trained individual, alongside Dillon’s parents, Angel, and George Mueller.
• Contributing to the successful passage of the Munoz SAFE Act in California which will ensure accessible epinephrine during emergencies and increase training in schools to protect children with food allergies.
• Organizing a Hill Day for AAFA’s Board of Directors to meet with their senators and congresspeople to share one of AAFA’s 2023 priorities, the Protecting Children with Food Allergies Act. 
• Presenting to the Food and Drug Administration multiple times to raise concerns about sesame allergen labeling.
• Co-hosting a congressional briefing on the lack of nutrition and ingredient labeling on alcohol and the need for mandatory allergen labeling on alcoholic beverages.

HELPING YOU MANAGE FOOD ALLERGIES WITH CONFIDENCE

Food allergic reactions can be prevented and treated easily if people have the resources and tools to manage food allergies with confidence.

Together, we provided support and education so people have the tools to understand and successfully manage food allergies. Critical health education and community programs included:

• Educating our community on how to reduce the risk of severe allergic reactions and what to do if one occurs.
• Sharing the latest news and trends such as emerging treatment options, new allergy-friendly foods, recipes, and recalls to help with food allergy management.
• Offering a record number of health education programs on asthma, food allergies, eosinophilic esophagitis, nasal polyps, chronic spontaneous urticaria, and atopic dermatitis. Allowing us to help more people become knowledgeable on how to best manage asthma and allergic diseases.
  • 7,441 people attended educational programs for people who manage these chronic conditions.
  • Nearly 8,200 health care professionals attended our continuing education programs on treating allergic conditions and asthma.
• Publishing resources to aid in the everyday management of food allergies, including the Your Guide to Managing Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) resource for patients and caregivers.
• Providing personalized support to help people in the everyday management of asthma and allergies by providing resources and support to over 57,000 people on our two online support communities. AAFA also responded to 1,228 inquiries submitted to AAFA’s Support Center and 268 questions submitted to AAFA’s Ask the Allergist service.

SUMMARY OF AAFA’S IMPACT ON ASTHMA AND ALLERGIES IN 2023: