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Good Practice: Recognising Cultural, Socio-economic and Ethnic Diversity in Allergy Care

  • Allergy Aware UK
  • Sep 22
  • 3 min read

Allergy is often spoken about in universal terms, yet the experience of living with — and being treated for — allergy can vary widely across communities. Good practice in healthcare means recognising that cultural background, socio-economic position, and ethnicity all shape how patients present, how they are diagnosed, and how effectively they can manage their condition.


Hands of people with multiple culture backgrounds.
Multiple Cultural Backgrounds

Cultural Influences on Allergy Management


Dietary customs, religious practices, and cultural norms all influence how allergies are experienced and managed. For example, avoidance of certain foods due to religious observance may mask or complicate the recognition of food allergy. Similarly, attitudes towards medication or complementary therapies may shape a patient’s willingness to accept certain treatments. Good practice is shown when healthcare professionals take the time to understand these cultural contexts rather than assuming a one-size-fits-all approach (NICE, 2014).


Socio-economic Barriers to Care


Access to specialist allergy services is often uneven, and socio-economic status can compound this inequality. Families with limited financial resources may struggle to afford allergen-free foods, multiple prescriptions, or travel to tertiary clinics. Some may face longer waiting times or lack awareness of entitlement to referrals. Good practice lies in recognising these barriers and working proactively to signpost support, whether through community dietetics, patient charities, or social prescribing initiatives (Royal College of Physicians, 2021).


Doctor testing with patient with different ethnic background.
Doctor testing with patient with different ethnic background.

Ethnic Diversity and Allergy Risk


Research increasingly shows variation in allergy prevalence and severity across different ethnic groups. For example, UK studies suggest that peanut allergy and asthma-related hospitalisations are more common among children of South Asian and Black African/Caribbean heritage compared with White children. Differences in vitamin D status, diet, genetics, and environmental exposures may all play a role. Good practice requires awareness of these disparities so that clinicians remain vigilant, especially in communities where under-diagnosis has historically occurred (Netuveli et al., 2005; Venter et al., 2018).


Communication and Trust


Language barriers, health literacy, and past experiences of discrimination can all influence how patients from minority ethnic backgrounds engage with healthcare. Good practice is demonstrated where healthcare professionals ensure information is accessible, interpreters are offered where needed, and trust is built through respectful dialogue. Written resources in plain English or translated formats can make the difference between a patient following or abandoning a management plan (NHS England, 2023).


Doctor Communicating with patient
Doctor Communicating with patient


A Holistic Approach


Ultimately, good practice in allergy care is not only about prescribing adrenaline or identifying allergens. It is about recognising that patients live within diverse cultural, socio-economic, and ethnic contexts that shape their experiences of illness and treatment. Care that is attentive to these realities is not only fairer but also more effective.



Final Reflection


Allergy does not discriminate, but the systems that manage it sometimes do. Healthcare professionals who embrace cultural awareness, address socio-economic barriers, and remain alert to ethnic disparities embody a model of care that is both equitable and patient-centred. In doing so, they ensure that patients from all backgrounds feel seen, supported, and safe.


References


  • National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). (2014) Drug allergy: diagnosis and management (Clinical guideline CG183). London: NICE. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg183.

  • Royal College of Physicians. (2021) Allergy care: the unmet need. London: RCP. Available at: https://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/projects/outputs/allergy-care-unmet-need ).

  • Netuveli, G., Hurwitz, B., Levy, M., Fletcher, M., Barnes, G., Durham, S.R. and Sheikh, A. (2005) ‘Ethnic variations in UK asthma frequency, morbidity, and health-service use: a systematic review and meta-analysis’, European Respiratory Journal, 25(4), pp. 869–876.

  • Venter, C., Maslin, K., Patil, V., Kurukulaaratchy, R. and Grundy, J. (2018) ‘Time trends in the prevalence of peanut allergy: three cohorts of children from the same geographical location in the UK’, Allergy, 71(9), pp. 1405–1413.

  • NHS England. (2023) Core20PLUS5 – An approach to reducing healthcare inequalities. London: NHS England. Available at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/about/equality/equality-hub/core20plus5.

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