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Getting the latest healthcare news for you
A new study finds Black and Hispanic children are significantly less likely to outgrow food allergies compared to White children. Socioeconomic factors — including lower income, higher area deprivation, and limited parental health literacy — consistently predicted lower odds of resolution. The findings highlight deep-rooted disparities in pediatric allergy outcomes across marginalized communities.
A large US study of over 1,300 children under 12 with IgE-mediated food allergies found that race and parental health literacy are significant predictors of whether a child outgrows their allergy. Black and Hispanic children were far less likely to achieve resolution compared to White children, even after accounting for other clinical factors. Higher parental health literacy and household income above $100,000 were associated with better outcomes, while lower socioeconomic status consistently predicted poorer resolution across multiple measures.
The study, published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, also found that food allergy resolution varied by allergen — baked milk, soy, wheat, and baked egg were most commonly outgrown, while shellfish and peanuts showed the lowest resolution rates.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: These findings underscore that food allergy outcomes aren't just biological — they're shaped by race, income, and access to health information. Clinicians and health systems need to address these disparities to ensure equitable allergy care for all children.
