Food Allergy group celebrates epinephrine laws passed by states in 2014

LANDOVER, Md. - Dec. 29, 2014 - PRLog -- The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) is celebrating 2014 as a momentous year for school students affected by food and other allergies. In the past 12 months alone, sixteen states passed epinephrine stocking laws designed to protect students and staff at risk for anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction. These laws allow schools to keep a supply of epinephrine auto injectors in case of medical emergencies. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening if left untreated. Epinephrine is the first line treatment for anaphylaxis.

Food allergies are on the rise, especially in young children. Over 6 million children have been diagnosed with a food allergy to nuts, eggs, milk, wheat, soy and other common food items. For these children, the simple act of eating carries potential for danger. One study found that nearly a quarter of epinephrine injections for severe allergic reactions to food in schools are to children who do not have a previous allergy diagnosis. Children spend a sizable amount of their time in school for daily instruction and recreational activities. Therefore, schools must be prepared to keep students safe. “No one can predict how severe a food allergic reaction will be,” said Charlotte Collins, JD, Senior Vice President for Policy and Programs at AAFA. “Every school must prepare by stocking epinephrine for food allergy emergencies.”

EPINEPHRINE AUTO INJECTORS CAN SAVE LIVES

Coming into contact with a food allergen can trigger an immune response and anaphylaxis may occur. Anaphylaxis can also be triggered by certain medications, latex, or insect bites or stings. When promptly administered, epinephrine is nearly always effective in halting or slowing an allergic reaction until a person can receive medical care. Delaying emergency medication increases the risk of poor outcomes and even fatalities. The epinephrine auto injector is relatively easy to use, quick to administer and can save lives.

2014 LAWS

During 2014, sixteen states (Alabama, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Indiana, Maine, Mississippi, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming) passed laws allowing schools to keep epinephrine on hand for emergencies. Now, eight out of ten states allow schools to stock epinephrine.

California food allergy advocates celebrated when lawmakers passed a new law that improved an existing one to require schools to keep an epinephrine supply at sites where there are designated trained volunteers to administer the medication.

In addition to California, three other states (Delaware, New Mexico, and North Carolina) passed laws in 2014 not just allowing, but requiring, epinephrine to be stocked in schools. New Jersey also passed a mandated epinephrine law that is waiting on a signature from Governor Christie.

Also in 2014, New York approved noteworthy legislation granting students the right to carry their own epinephrine and self-administer their medication. This means that now all 50 states in the country protect students’ rights to self-carry and administer their own medication.

LOOKING AHEAD

While the number of states enacting epinephrine stocking laws is encouraging, there is still more work to be done. In states that allow schools to keep a supply of epinephrine, school districts must act. Advocates need to find out if schools in their area are implementing the state’s law; if not, they should demand action.

A handful of remaining states currently do not have a stocking law in place. To find a map showing the status of epinephrine stocking in all states, please visit www.aafa.org/engage.

AAFA has also recently published a new resource, The Advocates’ Toolkit: Making an Impact on Anaphylaxis. This guide is for parents and other advocates; it aims to help them succeed in navigating changing laws. The Toolkit focuses on improving food allergy policies. It features insights from successful state campaigns. AAFA provides it free to members of its Action Center. To join, visit www.aafa.org/engage.

2014 was a successful year for anaphylaxis advocates and patients, but victory is not complete. Every school in every state with a stocking law still has two assignments: they must stock epinephrine auto injectors, and must make sure trained adults are on site to use them appropriately. And those states without stocking laws need to catch-up in 2015.

ABOUT AAFA

Founded in 1953 and celebrating over 60 years of service, AAFA is the oldest and largest nonprofit patient organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with asthma, allergies and related conditions through education, advocacy and research. AAFA provides practical information, community-based services, support and referrals through a national network of chapters and educational support groups. AAFA also sponsors research toward better treatments and a cure for asthma and allergic diseases. For more information about AAFA, visit www.aafa.org
ABOUT KIDS WITH FOOD ALLERGIES
Kids With Food Allergies (KFA), a division of AAFA, is dedicated to keeping children with food allergies safe and healthy through education about prevention, care and treatment, until a cure for food allergy is found. KFA is an essential part of the food allergy and anaphylaxis community offering free patient education programs, webinars, an allergy buyers’ guide, an electronic database of allergen-free recipes and more. KFA hosts the largest and most active online food allergy and anaphylaxis community, a critical platform for parents and caregivers who want to network with others about raising kids with food allergies and related diseases. KFA became a division of AAFA in 2013. For more information visit www.kidswithfoodallergies.org