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Food security encompassess the concept of access by all people at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life. Conversely, food insecurity (FI) refers to household-level economic and social conditions of limited or uncertain access to adequate food. FI is a key social determinant of health that can negatively affect nutrition and health outcomes, as it is estimated that 10.2% of the US population meets criteria for FI. Recognizing the impact of FI on our patients and families is critical to promote health equity and optimize health outcomes. This review focuses on FI and allergic disease from the perspective of key multisector stakeholders within the field of allergy and immunology as well as from the larger health care arena, highlighting key resources and initiatives important to patients. Collectively, as specialists in allergy and immunology, and within the medical field more broadly, we must leverage our unique roles as we interface with patients and families and serve as committed advocates for change. Developing innovative strategies to promote health equity can provide a pathway forward for all children, adults, and families to gain access to healthy, nutritious food as part of their routine lifestyle. This is a call to action., Competing Interests: Disclosure Statement A.A.J. received funding from the NIH National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) (awards KL2 TR003108 and UL1 TR003107). Disclosure of potential conflict of interest: S. M. Jones reports grants to her institution from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and from FARE; clinical trials funding to her institution from Aimmune Therapeutics, DBV Technologies, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Astellas Pharma, Genentech, Aravax, PTY, ALK-Albello, and Novartis; and personal fees from Aimmune Therapeutics as a member of the scientific advisory board from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals as a research advisory consultant, and from Astellas Pharma as scientific advisory consultant. S. Anvari reports grants to her institution from NIAID; clinical trials funding from DBV Technologies; and personal fees from DBV Technologies as a member of the scientific advisory board. R. D. Pesek reports a grant to his institution from the NCATS in partnership with NIAID and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. He has clinical trials funding to his institution from AstraZeneca and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. He is a research advisory consultation for Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. K. M. Kloepfer reports grants from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and NIAID; and payments for disease state awareness lectures for Regeneron. T. T. Perry reports grants to her institution from the National Institute of Nursing Research, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIAID, and the NIH Office of the Director. She is an at-large member of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology board of directors. A. Andres reports grants to her institution from NIH and the US Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Services. M. Doderer serves as president and CEO of Arkansas Children’s. A. M. Scurlock reports grants to her institution from NIAID and FARE; clinical trials funding to her institution from Aimmune Therapeutics, DBV Technologies, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Astellas Pharma, Genentech, Aravax, PTY, ALK-Albello, Novartis, and Siolta Therapeutics; and personal fees from DBV Technologies as a medical advisory board consultant. The rest of the authors declare that they have no relevant conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Purpose of Review: Evidence suggests that the microbiome of the skin, gastrointestinal tract, and airway contribute to health and disease. As we learn more about the role that the microbiota plays in allergic disease development, we can develop therapeutics to alter this pathway., Recent Findings: Epidemiologic studies reveal that an association exists between environmental exposures, which alter the microbiota, and developing atopic dermatitis, food allergy, and/or asthma. In fact, samples from the skin, gastrointestinal tract, and respiratory tract reveal distinct microbiotas compared with healthy controls, with microbial changes (dysbiosis) often preceding the development of allergic disease. Mechanistic studies have confirmed that microbes can either promote skin, gut, and airway health by strengthening barrier integrity, or they can alter skin integrity and damage gut and airway epithelium. In this review, we will discuss recent studies that reveal the link between the microbiota and immune development, and we will discuss ways to influence these changes.

Clinical research findings indicate that there are synergistic interactions between allergy and viral infection that cause increased severity of asthma exacerbations. This article summarizes the current literature linking these 2 risk factors for asthma exacerbation, and reviews experimental data suggesting potential mechanisms for interactions between viral infection and allergy that cause asthma exacerbations. In addition, the authors discuss clinical evidence that treatment of allergic inflammation could help to reduce the frequency and severity of virus-induced exacerbations of asthma., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)