Did you ever wonder where food allergies come from?
What happens to our body when an allergic reaction takes place?
According to Food Allergy Research & Education, Inc., There are 32 million Americans living with food allergies. There are currently no cures for food allergies.
There has been a 377% increase in the diagnosis of anaphylactic food reactions between 2007 and 2016.
Children are especially vulnerable with 1 in every 13 children under the age of 18 affected.
In every school classroom, as many as 2 children are allergic to food.
Every 3 minutes, someone goes to the emergency room because of a food allergy reaction.
The FAST Cart explores allergic reactions, how to prevent them, and how to react in case of emergency. For people suffering from food allergies, interactive videos demonstrate how to effectively use an epinephrine auto-injector. Doctors and nurses from the Texas Children Hospital provide tips on how to successfully read food labels and better navigate eating out.
Since 2017, the cart has equipped Houstonian families (over 5,000 individuals) with increased knowledge in identifying allergens in foods when dining out; recognizing hidden allergens in food labels, and providing resources for successfully navigating food allergies. Food allergies are a serious condition, The Health Museum is committed to increasing awareness.
For additional information on food allergies, check out more FAST Cart videos on our YouTube channel or visit Texas Children's Hospital Food Allergy Program.
Developed through a collaboration with H-E-B, The Health Museum, Texas Children’s Hospital, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, and Texas Southern University, the FAST Cart will empower Houstonians with greater awareness and understanding of food allergies.
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