World Allergy Week 2018
Announcement posted by Allergy and Immunology Foundation of Australasia 18 Apr 2018
In Australia and New Zealand, the Allergy and Immunology Foundation of Australasia (AIFA) will recognise World Allergy Week (April 22-28, 2018) with its second ‘wear a spot of red’ awareness and fundraising campaign. This virtual event encourages supporters to hold a ‘spot of red’ event in their home, school or workplace to raise awareness of the impact of allergy and raise funds for medical research into allergy.
World Allergy Week is an initiative of the World Allergy Organisation and the theme for 2018 is ‘Atopic Dermatitis/Eczema: An Itch that Rashes.’
Atopic dermatitis (AD) or eczema, is a type of inflammatory skin disease that disrupts the skin barrier and its ability to hold moisture. It is the most common chronic skin disease and is genetically transmitted. According to the World Allergy Organisation up to 30% of children and up to 10% of adults have atopic dermatitis globally.
AIFA’s involvement in World Allergy Week 2018 is to draw attention to the impact of all types of allergies on sufferers and raise funds for more research into allergy.
‘Wear a spot of red’ for World Allergy Week 2018 has been proudly supported by Sanofi. Sanofi is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on human health and dedicated to supporting people through their health challenges. Sanofi is proud to support World Allergy Week, with this year’s focus on atopic dermatitis/eczema, a chronic inflammatory allergic disease. Occasions like World Allergy week are important in raising awareness about this disease which can have devastating effects on patients’ quality of life.”
For information about how to get involved in World Allergy Week 2018 visit www.allergyimmunology.org.au/support-aifa/worldallergyweek
Download information sheets about atopic dermatitis and other allergic skin conditions at www.allergy.org.au/patients/skin-allergy
About AIFA
Allergies are amongst the fastest growing chronic health conditions affecting as many as 1 in 4 Australians. AIFA is an initiative of the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) a World Allergy Organisation member society. AIFA is dedicated to funding medical research and raising public awareness about allergy and other immune diseases. We are striving for earlier diagnosis, strategies for prevention, better treatments and potential cures.