The Food Allergy Management Quiz

Did you know that food allergy is a growing public health concern affecting approximately 150,000 students at Canadian universities and colleges? Chances are this includes students at your institution.

Having an inclusive and welcoming environment for students with food allergy is important, especially given that a greater number of prospective students are looking for schools that can provide support and accommodate their food allergies.

1. Teenagers and young adults are at the highest risk of having a severe allergic reaction. To the best of your knowledge, has a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) happened at your institution in the past three years?*
- Yes
- No
- I don't know

2. For prospective students making decisions on which schools to attend, is information readily available on how your institution manages food allergy on campus (e.g. online, printed materials)?*
- Yes
- No
- I don't know

5. Students often hesitate to disclose their allergies because they don’t want the stigma associated with having a health-related condition. Your institution can play a big role in helping to encourage the development of self-management skills in your students.

Is your institution doing the following to encourage students to disclose their food allergies? Is there:
a. Visible signage in eating areas and throughout the campus (e.g. posters in student housing, foodservice locations like residence dining halls and cafeterias that ask, “Do you have a food allergy? If so, speak to a staff member…”)?*
- Yes
- No
- I don't know
b. Information provided to students with food allergy, enclosed with offers of admission and upon acceptance, on how to manage food allergy on campus?*
- Yes
- No
- I don't know
c. Information on your website for students to understand your policies and who to speak with on campus?*
- Yes
- No
- I don't know

6. Teens and young adults rely on their social circle for support and understanding. To help raise awareness of food allergy on campus, does your institution help to educate the entire student population about the seriousness of food allergies?
For example, are there posters around campus explaining what food allergy and anaphylaxis is, signs and symptoms of a reaction and what to do in the case of a serious reaction, does your campus have community events to raise awareness of food allergies, etc.*
- Yes
- No
- I don't know

7. Stock epinephrine means having epinephrine auto-injectors (e.g. EpiPens®) available on campus to be used if someone is having an allergic reaction. These auto-injectors are not prescribed to a particular person.

Some reasons to have stock epinephrine include occasions when someone does not have an epinephrine auto-injector with them, they need a second dose of epinephrine, or they are having a reaction for the very first time.
Has your institution considered having stock epinephrine available on campus?*
- Yes
- No
- I don't know
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How is your campus doing?