Black Participation in Food Allergy Trials Can Be Life-Saving

There’s promising new research for food allergies called Food Oral Immunotherapy (FOIT). This treatment allows people to gradually eat foods they’re allergic to, desensitizing them and reducing their reactions. However, a new study shows a major problem: most research on FOIT doesn’t include enough Black and Hispanic participants. The Study’s Findings The study reviewed 26 randomized clinical trials on FOIT and found a troubling lack of diversity. An overwhelming majority (72%) of participants were White, while Black (8%) and Hispanic (3%) participants were significantly underrepresented. This is concerning because these populations experience a higher burden of food allergies, particularly Black children who are more likely to have severe allergic reactions. Timely diagnosis and access to proper treatment, like FOIT, can be lifesaving. Why This Lack of Diversity Matters This lack of diversity is a significant hurdle because if researchers don’t study a representative group of people, the treatment may not work the same way for everyone. Imagine a new medicine is only tested on young men, but then it has dangerous side effects for women. That’s the kind of risk we face when allergy research isn’t inclusive. People of color often face healthcare disparities that make it harder to get...