America Faces an Allergy/Asthma Crisis

This is the conclusion of the ACAAI GME/Workforce Committee, as outlined in a letter to ACAAI members from President Daniel Ein. 

Last year, the committee analyzed trends in allergic and immunologic diseases, estimated the future demand for services of allergists-immunologists and reviewed data from the two allergy-immunology workforce surveys.  The findings reveal a serious problem that will have a dramatic impact on the future needs of our patients.    

There is a growing shortage of allergists-immunologists in the United States.  Although the shortage does not affect all geographic locations, it is widespread and becoming worse.  Without intervention, the number of fulltime equivalent (FTE) allergists-immunologists will decline about 7% by 2020.  Meanwhile, over that same period of time, the demand for allergist-immunologist services is projected to increase by 35%.  New and larger residency programs are needed in allergy and immunology to meet growing patient demand.

The committee’s full report, entitled Allergist Report: America Faces Allergy/Asthma Crises, can be downloaded from this Web site.  It provides details on our specialty's workforce shortage and examines what currently is being done and what needs to be done now and in the future.  The report also is being mailed to all College members.  You are encouraged to help by taking the message to your representatives and senators in Congress in person or by letter.   Contact information is available at http://clerk.house.gov for the House and http://www.senate.gov for the Senate.

Patients with allergic diseases deserve the highest quality of care – and nobody does it better than the allergist.  Ask your patients to write their representatives and senators in Congress about this pressing issue that affects families and individuals living with asthma and allergies.  A brochure for your patients is available for downloaded and printing. 

If you have an opportunity to give a talk on the looming allergist-immunologist shortage and GME/workforce issues, a Power Point presentation is available for download for use in grand rounds and similar events.

We will keep you informed on the progress of this important initiative.