Alergia a comidas

CONSUMER HEALTH SEARCHER
Lynda M. Baker, Column Editor

Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN)
Shirley A. Langebartels

ABSTRACT. Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) provides its Web site to educate, advocate, and make available research information about food allergies to the public. Many helpful features include downloadable forms, brochures, and guidelines; support groups;further medical contact information; and the Kids/Teens Web sites. This resource is reviewed lor scientific accuracy by a medical advisory hoard. There is also a Teen Advisory Group which contrihutes and reviews the Teen Web site's content and style. doi:io.i080/i53y828üti0208i45i (Article copies avaiiable for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: ¡•80Ö-HAWORTH. E-mail address:Website: © 2008 by The Haworth Press. AH rights reserved.]

Shirley A. Langebartels (sewsaI56(íPyahoo.com) is on staff at Lapeer District Library and Oxford Public Library. Commenls and suggeslions should be sent to Ihe Column Editor: Lynda M. Baker (aaO838@wayne.edu). Journal of Consumer Health on the Internet, Vol. 12(1) 2008 Available online at hitp://jcbi.baworthpress.com © 2008 by The HaworthPress. All rights reserved. doi: 10.1080/15398280802081451

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JOURNAL OE CONSUMER HEALTH ON THE INTERNET

KEYWORDS. Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, FAAN, food allergy, anaphylaxis

INTRODUCTION
Anyone with a severe food allergy worries about being exposed to the allergen. It may only happen once or it may be repeated many times, and trying to determine the best treatment canbe difficult. This Web site is a great resource not only for adults, teens, or children who have food allergies, but also for their family members and friends. Schools, camps, and health care providers will also find helpful information geared toward their needs. The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) was launched in 1991 and the Web site (see Figure Din 1995.' Separate teen and kids Webpages are included within the FAAN site. FAAN's mission is to "raise public awareness, to provide advocacy and education, and to advance research on behalf of all those affected by food allergies and anaphylaxis." It provides education, conducts research, and has publications and products available. A medical advisory board of 14 members reviews FAAN materials and information for scientificaccuracy.

GETTING STARTED
"Education, Advocacy, Research, Awareness" is the subtitle or motto of FAAN. From the home page, the user can find links to information fulfilling all areas of the organization's motto. This is considered the adult version of the FAAN Web site. The home page is divided into three sections. The middle of the page has links to: "About FAAN," "FAQS" [Frequently AskedQuestions], "Common Food Allergens," "Anaphylaxis," "What's New," "Schools and Childcare," "Advocacy," "Re.search," "Recipes," "Daily Tip," "Downloads," and more. Further useful information under the "Research" section includes "Published Research Highlights," "Research in the News," and a "Grant Application Process." The "Downloads" section includes many helpful forms, guidelines, and brochures and shouldbe examined by anyone with an

Consumer Health Searcher

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FIGURE 1. FAAN Home Page

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of the Schools page, describes possible allergic symptoms in child-sized lay terms. Knowing how a child may describe a reaction could save precious time if a serious event occurs. This type of article shows once again...