Food Allergies in Inner-City Schools: Addressing Disparities and Improving Management

Objective: Food allergy (FA) affects approximately 8% of children in the United States. Management comprises both preventing and treating allergic reactions, which poses unique challenges in the inner-city school setting. In this article, we review the epidemiology of FA in school-aged children and management challenges and opportunities specific to the inner-city population. Data sources: A literature search of the PubMed database was performed to identify published literature on FA epidemiology, FA management, school policies, disparities, inner-city, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Study Selections: Relevant articles on FA management best practices and challenges in schools, with a particular emphasis on inner-city schools and populations and socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic disparities, were reviewed in detail. Results: Disparities in FA prevalence, management, and treatment exist. Additional research is needed to better characterize these disparities and elucidate the mechanisms leading to them. There is a lack of evidence-based interventions for the prevention and treatment of food allergic reactions in schools and specifically in inner-city schools, in which a greater proportion of students may rely on school food. Conclusion: There are opportunities for partnership among health care providers, schools, and communities to address unmet needs in FA management and disparities in the inner-city school setting.