School Preparedness for Students with Severe Food Allergies

1. School Preparedness for Students with Severe Food Allergies

2. Nuts, Dairy, Gluten, Soy… any commonality? Yes! All are allergens! • Allergy or Intolerance? Symptoms are common for both. • 6 - 8% of elementary students are affected • 18% Increase in past decadein cases School Preparedness for Students with Severe Food Allergies

3. Problem statement • Due to the rise of food allergies – severe or otherwise – in young children, it is imperative that elementary schools protect their students’ health.

4. What you need to know… • Food allergies are more prevalent in children • They are sometimes “outgrown” • 4 out of every 100 children has a food allergy • Increased risk for developing other allergies • Children with coexisting allergies are more prone to anaphylaxis and death • 3.9% of children under 17 affected

5. This means that…

6. Tell Me More… • No significant difference between genders • More likely to affect non-Hispanic children • 84% of food reactions happen in schools • Most schools do not use the current Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network’s (FAAN) Food Allergy Action Plan

7. What is FAAN? The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network’s Food Allergy Action Plan, or FAAN, is a government supported guideline for food allergy safety. • This includes (and is not limited to) : • Schools be knowledgeable about current state and district policy and law • Include students with food allergies in school activities • Inform staff of the nature of the allergy

8. How does this affect them? According to recent studies: Rise in food allergy related bullying at schools 34% of parents say school attendance has been affected by the allergy 25% of first time reactions occur in schools

9. Research Purpose The goal of this research is to understand what makes a school’s food allergy preparation plan successful in ensuring student safety.

10. Significance of the Study This study is important because… For parents, to provide them with an insight into school safety measures to assure their child is not exposed to allergens; For schools, to raise awareness of practices and policies for the treatment of students with food allergies.

11. Conclusion • What we found: • Food allergies are on the rise in young children • Schools are underprepared to handle emergency reactions and overall safety of students • Food safety is a major concern in schools • Most schools do not enact the FAAN recommended plan • More needs to be done to educate parents, teachers, staff and students

12. Bibliography Aleccia, J. (2010, September 28). Peanut menace? bullies use food to torment allergic kids. Retrieved from http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39389689/ns/health-allergies_and_asthma/ Branum, A.M., & Lukacs, S.L. (2008). Food allergy among u.s. children: trends in prevalence and hospitalizations. NCHS Data Brief, (10), Retrieved from http:// www.sflorg.com/comm_center/medical/pdf/637_48_01.pdf Gelfand, J.L. (2009). Is it a food allergy or intolerance?. Retrieved from http:// www.webmd.com/allergies/foods-allergy-intolerance Lowry, F. (2010, September 29). Kids with food allergies often harassed and bullied. Retrieved from http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/729624

13. Bibliography, cont. Powers, J., Bergren, M.D., & Finnegan, L. (2007). Comparison of school food allergy emergency plans to the food allergy and anaphylaxis network’s standard plan. he Journal of School Nursing , 23(5), Retrieved from http://nsca.allenpress.com/ content/23/5/252.abstract doi: 10.1177/10598405070230050301 School guidelines for managing students with food allergies. (2009, November 10). Retrieved from http://www.foodallergy.org/page/food-allergy--anaphylaxis-network- guidelines The facts about the increase of allergic disease in children. (2008, July). Retrieved fromhttp://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/resourcespre.php? id=118&title=the_rise_in_childhood_food_allergies