The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy

Australian specialists have marked World Allergy Day, Tuesday December 4^th, by calling on the newly elected Government of Kevin Rudd to prevent the emergence of an "allergy generation." 

The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) says the most up to date research shows a massive increase in the prevalence of allergic disorders in children. 

ASCIA president Ray Mullins said more effort needs to be focused on the problem to prevent an entire generation of Australians growing up and living with the physical and financial burden of allergies, which is now known to be more than $7 billion per year.

"We know that prevalence of these disorders is increasing, in some cases by as much as 40 per cent." A/Professor Mullins said. 

"Unless we detect and deal with these problems in children their quality of life will be adversely affected and in some cases the nature of their disorder will be entirely debilitating.

"It therefore makes the greatest sense to prevent allergic disorders in children, lest we see the emergence of an "allergy generation" that will not only face the physical burden of dealing with the condition, but shoulder the enormous financial burden as well." 

A/Professor Mullins said most Australians face a wait of up to 5 months to see a specialist, longer in some cases as there is a severe shortage of specialists in many parts of Australia. 

Also to mark World Allergy Day, ASCIA is taking part in a symposium in Thailand that will focus on the latest research into the genetics of allergies, the role of probiotics and polyunsaturated fatty acids in allergy prevention and how allergens affect the immune system. 

"Ultimately the Federal Government needs to recognise the scope of this problem," A/Professor Mullins said. 

"Without more time and funding, hundreds of thousands of Australians will continue to be denied access to the specialist care they need." 

ENDS

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Backgrounder

ALLERGY PREVENTION IN CHILDREN - SUMMARY