Suchergebnisse

Abstract
Lead is an environmental hazard; even small elevations in blood lead level can cause serious negative health effects in children, including irreversible impacts such as learning difficulties, attention disorders, and behavioral issues. Previous research has shown that some groups are at higher risk for lead poisoning including racial/ethnic minorities, those with low economic status, and immigrants, especially refugees. This systematic review explores recent literature studying disparities in lead poisoning in refugee children. Search terms were chosen with the assistance of a medical librarian, and two independent reviewers assessed articles using a PICOS criteria (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, Study Design) following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRIMSA-P) guidelines, a set of evidence-based minimum standards for reporting in systematic reviews. 321 article titles were reviewed, 61 abstracts screened, and 17 methods sections reviewed, ultimately including 13 studies. The studies found a high prevalence of elevated blood lead level among refugee populations when compared to reference populations. Both pre-migration and post-migration factors were identified as contributors to the disparity, and associations were identified between elevated blood lead levels and factors such as country of origin, age, and other health variables. Health providers and resettlement workers should be aware of these disparities and related factors. Testing, care, education and consistent follow-up should be provided.

Abstract Food allergy appears to be on the rise with the current mainstay of treatment centred on allergen avoidance. Mandatory allergen labelling has improved the safety of food for allergic consumers. However an additional form of voluntary labelling (termed precautionary allergen labelling) has evolved on a wide range of packaged goods, in a bid by manufacturers to minimise risk to customers, and the negative impact on business that might result from exposure to trace amounts of food allergen present during cross-contamination during production. This has resulted in near ubiquitous utilisation of a multitude of different precautionary allergen labels with subsequent confusion amongst many consumers as to their significance. The global nature of food production and manufacturing makes harmonisation of allergen labelling regulations across the world a matter of increasing importance. Addressing inconsistencies across countries with regards to labelling legislation, as well as improvement or even banning of precautionary allergy labelling are both likely to be significant steps forward in improved food safety for allergic families. This article outlines the current status of allergen labelling legislation around the world and reviews the value of current existing precautionary allergen labelling for the allergic consumer. We strongly urge for an international framework to be considered to help roadmap a solution to the weaknesses of the current systems, and discuss the role of legislation in facilitating this.

Food allergy appears to be on the rise with the current mainstay of treatment centred on allergen avoidance. Mandatory allergen labelling has improved the safety of food for allergic consumers. However an additional form of voluntary labelling (termed precautionary allergen labelling) has evolved on a wide range of packaged goods, in a bid by manufacturers to minimise risk to customers, and the negative impact on business that might result from exposure to trace amounts of food allergen present during cross-contamination during production. This has resulted in near ubiquitous utilisation of a multitude of different precautionary allergen labels with subsequent confusion amongst many consumers as to their significance. The global nature of food production and manufacturing makes harmonisation of allergen labelling regulations across the world a matter of increasing importance. Addressing inconsistencies across countries with regards to labelling legislation, as well as improvement or even banning of precautionary allergy labelling are both likely to be significant steps forward in improved food safety for allergic families. This article outlines the current status of allergen labelling legislation around the world and reviews the value of current existing precautionary allergen labelling for the allergic consumer. We strongly urge for an international framework to be considered to help roadmap a solution to the weaknesses of the current systems, and discuss the role of legislation in facilitating this.

Unfortunately this article [1] was published with an error in the Funding section. The BM4SIT project is notacknowledged. This section should be corrected to the below: Funding EAACI and the BM4SIT project (Grant Number 601763) in the European Union's Seventh Framework ProgrammeFP7.