Doctoral Dissertation Research: Schools, Families and Children's Food Allergies

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Project Summary Doctoral Dissertation Research: Schools, Families and Children's Food AllergiesPeter ConradVanessa Lopes MuñozBrandeis UniversityAbout 4% of children reported a food allergy in 2007-an increase of nearly 18%during the course of a decade. Preventing and responding to severe allergic reactions canrequire the involvement of many actors in schools, restaurants, and childcare centers. Byexamining how multiple actors adhere to food allergy policies and guidelines, this studyseeks to fill an existing gap in sociological studies of health and illness.Intellectual Merit. A longstanding concern in sociology and in medicine is explainingunder what conditions, and to what ends, people adhere to medical regimens. Conrad andothers have argued that ill persons make decisions about following medical regimenslargely based on their everyday lives, making the case that daily social interactions are atleast as important as doctor-patient relationships. Conditions that are managed primarilythrough lifestyle changes,such as changes in diet,raise questions about the role ofmultiple actors in managing health conditions. To address these questions, this studyexamines how families and schools adhere to food allergy policies.Broader Impact. This study would expand knowledge about the management of healthconditions that are rising in prevalence-food allergies. Results from this study mayinform health policies related to an array of conditions that require intensive lifestylechanges, such as asthma, diabetes, and food intolerances. Findings may also be of interestto healthcare professionals, families, and school administrators. This research will beused for a doctoral dissertation and in undergraduate teaching.