title: Food allergy: psychosocial impact and public policy implications.
abstract: Given its increasing prevalence and potential severity, food allergy not only negatively impacts the health and quality of life of affected individuals but also carries a significant economic burden. To address these problems, a community approach including efforts to increase awareness of food allergy among the general public and the implementation of appropriate public policies to keep affected individuals safe is required. This chapter reviews the general public's knowledge and perceptions of food allergy, the disease's psychosocial impact on affected individuals, and the current state and future directions of food allergy public policy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine, and Division of Allergy and Immunology, Children's National Health System, Washington, D.C., USA.
authors.forename: Hemant P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Linda J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Herbert
mesh_terms: D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life