NEW RESEARCH REVEALS AUSTRALIANS ARE DANGEROUSLY COMPLACENT ABOUT FOOD ALLERGY.
09/10/2015
Despite Australia having one of the highest rates of food allergy in the world, and hospital admissions for severe allergic reactions doubling in the last decade, research has revealed Australians are dangerously complacent about food allergy.
In a study commissioned by Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia, a cohort of Australians was surveyed about their allergy awareness. The results were very alarming.
The study of more than 1,050 Australians found:
• 56% believe that people with food allergy are over-cautious;
• 86% cannot identify the signs and symptoms of a severe allergic reaction;
• 69% do not know what to do in an emergency; and
• 98% do not know that allergy to any food can be life threatening.
Experts warn complacency among Australians about food allergy and anaphylaxis, only increases the likelihood that an allergic reaction will result in death. Raising public awareness is crucial if lives are to be saved.
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