The National Allergy Council and the National Allergy Centre of Excellence are calling for better national allergy data to improve policy, planning, and care for Australians living with allergic disease. Despite the high prevalence of allergic conditions in Australia, the Census does not currently collect information on allergic disease, which hinders understanding its impact and prevalence. This lack of data is a significant issue, as allergic disease is one of the nation's fastest-growing chronic health conditions, estimated to cost Australia $18.9 billion in financial losses and $44.6 billion in wellbeing losses annually. The event will also launch Australia's first Parliamentary Friends of Allergy group, which aims to strengthen collaboration and improve outcomes for those with allergic disease. This initiative is a significant step forward, as it addresses the need for better data collection and collaboration in the field of allergy research and care. The National Allergy Council and the National Allergy Centre of Excellence have made significant progress in allergy prevention, training the next generation of allergy researchers, and improving access to specialist expertise. However, the lack of national allergy data remains a critical issue that needs to be addressed to ensure that policy, planning, and care for those with allergic disease are informed by accurate and comprehensive data. The event will also highlight the personal experiences of individuals like Luda Unitt, whose son Lucas lives with multiple life-threatening food allergies and asthma. These personal stories underscore the importance of better data collection and collaboration in the field of allergy research and care. In my opinion, the call for better national allergy data is a crucial step forward in improving the health and well-being of Australians living with allergic disease. However, it is also important to recognize the limitations of the current data collection systems and the need for more comprehensive and accurate data to inform policy, planning, and care. The establishment of Australia's first Parliamentary Friends of Allergy group is a significant step forward in addressing these limitations and strengthening collaboration in the field of allergy research and care. Overall, the event is a call to action for better data collection and collaboration in the field of allergy research and care, and it is my hope that it will lead to significant improvements in the health and well-being of Australians living with allergic disease.
