Food allergies among children are rising dramatically. There are many causes for the growing prevalence in the U.S., that may include Vitamin D insufficiency, decreased exposure to germs and allergens, and food allergen avoidance. In total, food allergies now affect as many as 8 percent of children in the United States. Unfortunately, there is no cure for food allergies, which can be severe and potentially life-threatening.
Food allergies, like many health conditions, also disproportionately impact lower income families and communities. Once burdened with allergies, these individuals must overcome barriers to receive adequate treatment.
Fortunately, food allergies are highly-preventable, if we act earlier to prevent them.
“Babies don’t have to develop food allergies.”
“Babies don’t have to develop food allergies,” said Dr. Andrew Leitner, co-founder of Ready. Set. Food!, a leader in all-natural, organic early allergen introduction. “Evidence-based research, USDA guidelines and leading allergists all agree: introducing small amounts of allergens early and often is the best way to help a child have a greater chance at a future of food freedom.”
To address the rise in food allergies, recent research, including the landmark Learning Early About Peanut (LEAP) study, has established that parents can prevent food allergies by introducing allergens early and often. These breakthrough findings have paved the way for new guidelines across leading health and medical organizations. New guidelines from these organizations, which include the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), all recommend: every parent should introduce common allergenic foods starting as early as 4 months of age.
Empowering parents to follow these guidelines at home by introducing allergens early and consistently, with guidance from their pediatrician, is vital to helping reverse the troubling rise in food allergies. Wildflower and Ready. Set. Food! are excited to pilot an approach to provide parents with early allergen introduction resources in partnership with Providence. The initiative is driven by Wildflower’s digital platform, which already delivers personalized support, education and resources to Providence patients. Wildflower has now embedded food allergy education, recommendations and guidance from Ready. Set. Food!’s team of leading pediatricians and allergists to ensure new parents are informed on early allergen introduction and equipped with the right questions to ask their providers.
"With expert content and guidance from Ready. Set. Food!, we can reach many families and positively impact the health of their children."
“We are always looking for innovative partnerships that help us support our patients at critical stages in their health,” said William A. Conrad, MD, Chief Medical Officer from Providence Southbay Ministries “By combining Wildflower’s platform with expert content and guidance from Ready. Set. Food!, we can reach many families and positively impact the health of their children.”
Ultimately, the rise of food allergies is a problem that can be easily addressed. Early allergen introduction prevention creates a win-win scenario. It positively impacts the lives of children and their families while generating cost savings for the entire healthcare system. Conversely, the less proactive work we do, the more we will see increases in acute therapy, including emergency room visits, for allergy-related conditions.
“The opportunity here is clear, and we are committed to responding positively to it,” said Dr. Conrad. “Our work in this area is a great example of how digital technology can enhance the patient-physician relationship and create an environment where the right information is being discussed at the right time for optimal care.”
To learn more about how Wildflower and Ready. Set. Food! are partnering through digital health technology to help families introduce allergen safely, please contact us today.
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All health-related content on this website is for informational purposes only and does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your own pediatrician in connection with any questions regarding your baby’s health.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If your infant has severe eczema, check with your infant’s healthcare provider before feeding foods containing ground peanuts.