Food allergy poses significant quality of life and financial stresses on affected patients and their families. Moreover, health disparities research suggests that low-income households are likely under-diagnosed, presenting barriers to appropriate specialty care, adequate disease management, and potentially life-saving prescriptions. Food insecurity presents an additional challenge, with children from the lowest income families spending more on emergency and hospitalization costs, in part due to limited access to allergen-friendly foods.

This presentation is aimed at RDNs with intermediate to advanced knowledge. Health equity, access, and the influence of early life nutrition on the gut microbiome will be presented alongside the latest consensus recommendations and best-practices for optimizing food allergy prevention, diagnosis and management. Learners will further their clinical expertise to confidentially provide patient-centered, interprofessional care with consideration to the challenges of health system barriers and food insecurity.