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Food Allergy Awareness Week and National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) declares May to be “National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month.” It’s a peak season for people with allergies and asthma, and a perfect time to educate patients, family, friends, school staff, coaches and others about these diseases. AAFA's food allergy division, Kids With Food Allergies, honors Food Allergy Awareness Week the second week of May. In 2021, it occurs May 9-15.

Food allergy awareness week is May 9-15, 2021. Food allergy emergencies are treated every 3 minutes. Join us to take action, save lives, and prevent allergic reactions

Quick Facts (Download Fact Sheet):

  • About 32 million people in the U.S. have food allergies (6 million are children).
  • Food allergies can develop at any time, but it is most common to start in childhood.
  • Any food can cause food allergy. The most common in the United States are peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, wheat, soy, and sesame. 
  • Children with food allergies are more likely to have asthma or other allergic diseases.
  • In the U.S., it is estimated that severe allergic reactions to food cause 30,000 emergency room visits, 2,000 hospitalizations, and 150 deaths each year.
  • Severe allergic reactions to food need prompt treatment with epinephrine.
  • Although new treatments are being developed, there is currently no cure for food allergies.

Get Involved and Take Action:

We invite you to use our resources and tools below to spread awareness throughout Food Allergy Awareness Week. Here are just a few ways you can be a part of Food Allergy Awareness Week and National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month:

Visit this website and follow us on social media during Food Allergy Awareness Week and throughout May for ways you can participate.

social media tools Awareness Events
Take Action for Awareness events fundraise for awareness month

 

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