The death of a woman who reportedly had a fatal allergic reaction after eating at a restaurant at Disney World has sparked national conversations on the health and safety of people with food allergies.
An estimated 8% of children and nearly 11% of adults in the United States have a food allergy, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, which describes food allergy prevalence as a “serious public health issue.”
Among those treating and caring for people with food allergies is Suzanne Ngo, MD, an assistant professor in the Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology at the University of Colorado Department of Medicine. Ngo is an immunologist and allergist who practices at Children’s Hospital Colorado and the UCHealth Allergy and Immunology Clinic, caring for both children and adults.
We recently spoke with Ngo to discuss food allergies, ways to address an allergic reaction, best practices for restaurants, and how people with allergies can maintain a social life while remaining safe.