To address a lack of allergy data to guide decision-making in diagnosis and treatment for Asian Americans, researchers from Stanford University and Sutter Health conducted one of the first studies of subgroups of Asian American children under age 18. Using nearly 500,000 electronic health records, they determined rates, in aggregate and by subgroup, for four of the most common allergic conditions—eczema, food allergy, asthma and allergic rhinitis (hay fever).
Results showed Asian American children are 40% more likely to develop a food allergy than the general population of US children. Filipino, Vietnamese, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders are particularly vulnerable. Food allergy rates vary markedly among Asian American subgroups, from 2.9% to 8.2%. Further, Asian American children are 30% less likely to be diagnosed with food allergies, despite their heightened vulnerability. While the factors responsible for the higher prevalence of allergic disease are currently unclear, the authors made recommendations for future studies. The article also discusses cultural barriers to diagnosis and treatment, and provides examples from the community of advocacy to support allergic children and families.