Food Allergy and its Impact on the Black Community

Welcome to a new episode of the Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Innovations podcast. This episode explores how social determinants of health impact food allergy outcomes in the Black community.

Co-hosts Kortney Kwong Hing and Payel Gupta, MD, of The Itch Podcast interview Carla Davis, MD, who serves as the Director of the Texas Children’s Hospital Food Allergy Program. Dr. Davis is Chief of the Immunology, Allergy, and Retrovirology Division of the Department of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine.

You can listen to or download the podcast on ItchPodcast.com anytime, anywhere. The podcast can also be downloaded at:

The podcast series is sponsored by Genentech.

How do food allergies affect the Black community?

Dr. Davis discusses the impact of historical factors like redlining and insurance disparities on the health outcomes of the black community. These historical and social issues have led to higher prevalence rates of food allergies among Black patients.

The episode unpacks the challenges of accessing allergen-free foods amid socioeconomic disparities and food insecurity.

Kortney, Dr. Gupta and Dr. Davis discuss cultural nuances in managing allergies within families and how this impacts shared decision-making. Dr. Davis also addresses the crucial need for more media representation of Black food allergy patients.

Key takeaways from the podcast

  • Get a deeper understanding of how social determinants of health significantly influence food allergy outcomes.
  • Learn the importance of cultural competence in healthcare.
  • Learn why there is a general mistrust of the medical community among Black patients.
  • Get resources for managing food allergies and navigating the medical system.

Podcast Timestamps

  • 02:04 – Health disparities and social factors affect health outcomes
  • 05:45 – Limited healthcare access due to insurance disparities
  • 08:20 – Challenges accessing allergen-free foods due to food insecurity
  • 12:45 – Food allergy resources
  • 13:44 – Tips for effective communication with healthcare providers
  • 14:30 – Cultural factors impact how families manage food allergies
  • 16:21 – Lack of media representation for food allergies in the Black community
  • 18:00 – Understanding legal protections in schools
  • 19:40 – Strategies for patients to advocate for specialist care for food allergies.
  • 22:00 – Historical discrimination affects healthcare access and outcomes for Black patients
  • 24:29 – Including Black patients in research is vital for fair access to new treatments
  • 26:20 – Disseminating new treatment information to diverse groups
  • 27:48 – Redlining impacts access to nutritious foods in Black communities
  • 29:40 – Tips for making doctor visits effective

Additional Resources