Allergy Practice Worldwide: A Report by the World Allergy Organization Specialty and Training Council

• Published in: International Archives of Allergy and Immunology Vol. 139; no. 2; pp. 166 - 174
• Main Authors: Warner, John O., Kaliner, Michael A., Crisci, Carlos D., Del Giacco, Sergio, Frew, Anthony J., Liu, G.H., Maspero, Jorge, Moon, Hee-Bom, Nakagawa, Takemasa, Potter, Paul C., Rosenwasser, Lanny J., Singh, Anand B., Valovirta, Erkka, van Cauwenberge, Paul
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel, Switzerland Karger 01.01.2006; S. Karger AG
• Subjects: Allergies; Allergy and Immunology - education; Allergy and Immunology - manpower; Asthma; Biological and medical sciences; Councils; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental immunology; Global Health; Humans; Hypersensitivity - diagnosis; Hypersensitivity - epidemiology; Hypersensitivity - therapy; Immunopathology; International Agencies; Medical sciences; Organizations; Physicians - statistics & numerical data; Physicians - supply & distribution; Review; Training; World; Allergy, specialty and training; Allergy disease prevalence; Allergy practice; Immunopathology; Allergy; Immunology; Organization; Prevalence; Epidemiology; Council; International
• ISSN: 1018-2438; 1423-0097; 1365-2567
• DOI: 10.1159/000090502

In 2004 the World Allergy Organization’s Specialty and Training Council conducted a survey of World Allergy Organization (WAO) member societies to obtain information about the status of the specialty of allergy worldwide. Responses were received from 33 countries, representing a population of 1.39 billion people, of whom it was estimated that 22% may suffer from some form of allergic disease. Allergy was reported by 23 respondents to be a certified or accredited specialty in their country, and the number of certified allergists per head of population ranged from 1:25 million to 1:16,000. Allergists were ranked as the fifth most likely clinicians to see cases of allergic asthma, third most likely to see allergic rhinitis, and fourth most likely to see eczema or sinusitis. Nine countries only reported that children with allergic diseases would be seen by a pediatrician with appropriate training. The survey results highlight a pressing need for the development of allergy services worldwide.