The Goal Is A Compass (Goal 4)

The Growing Urgency of the UK’s Allergy Crisis

The need for a national strategy is unmistakable. Over recent decades, prevalence and severity of allergic disease have increased substantially. Hospital admissions for severe allergic reactions have risen dramatically, and millions of adults and children now live with at least one diagnosed allergy. Yet, despite this scale, allergy services remain inconsistent, often fragmented and, in some areas, insufficiently prioritised.

This inconsistency has tangible consequences. Delayed diagnosis, limited access to specialists, variable school and workplace practices, and unequal access to safe food and emergency response mechanisms all contribute to poorer outcomes for people with allergic conditions.

Why Whole‑Society Allergy Awareness Matters

Goal 4 of the NAS highlights that clinical improvements alone cannot create the cultural and environmental safety people with allergies need. Whole‑society awareness is essential because allergic disease does not remain within clinical boundaries. It affects:

• Families making everyday decisions about food and environments
• Teachers, early years providers and university staff
• Employers and colleagues
• Businesses including food retailers, restaurants, airlines and hospitality organisations
• Transport systems and public venues
• Community services and leisure providers

Food allergy provides a stark example. Approximately 6 per cent of UK adults and around one in 13 children have a diagnosed food allergy. Yet food allergies continue to be confused with food preferences or intolerances, leading to misunderstanding, indifference and, in some cases, bullying or exclusion. Food allergy is a serious medical condition that can be life‑threatening, and for many parents, young people and adults, daily life is shaped by vigilance and risk‑avoidance.

Improved public awareness helps ensure that people with allergies are taken seriously, understood and supported. Schools, workplaces and businesses that recognise the seriousness of allergic disease are more confident in preventing and responding to allergic reactions, reducing the likelihood of severe incidents and improving quality of life.

Embedding Allergy Awareness in Education, Workplaces and Community Settings

The NAS aims to elevate allergy awareness across key sectors – education, the food industry, workplaces and public services — recognising that better knowledge leads directly to better practice and safer environments. A well‑informed school can manage allergy safely and inclusively. A well‑informed workplace can support employees, reduce risk and ensure compliance with policy and law. A well‑informed food business can save lives through accurate labelling, cross‑contamination vigilance and clear communication.

Natasha’s Foundation is driving significant improvements in food‑allergy understanding in schools through its free Allergy School programme, providing structured training and resources from early years through to secondary education. This initiative is already creating meaningful change. As Joanna Taylor, Headteacher at St Michael’s R.C. Primary School in Wales, explains:

“I believe that every child should be understood by both adults and their peers, so bringing food allergy awareness into our curriculum really helps achieve that. We have been using the Allergy School resources since the launch of the programme last February, and my staff are now far more confident having conversations about food allergy concerns. One pupil in particular is very happy that he can now have school meals, and his classmates are aware of his food allergies and how they can help keep him safe.”

This work demonstrates the transformative effect that targeted education can have in creating confident, inclusive and prepared environments, exactly what Goal 4 seeks to achieve at a national scale.

Legislative and public education initiatives further illustrate how systemic change can improve safety and quality of life. Natasha’s Law, introduced in 2021, has strengthened UK food‑labelling requirements and dramatically increased public awareness of food allergy. For many people with food allergies, full ingredient labelling has reduced anxiety and improved confidence when purchasing food outside the home, marking a significant shift in both safety and cultural understanding.

For individuals like Kitty Clark, aged 21, who lives with allergies to eggs, dairy and kiwi fruit, the impact has been profound. 

“Natasha’s Law has changed my life in so many ways. The first time I noticed it had come into effect was when I picked up a box of sushi and saw the ingredients printed clearly on the back. For most people this would go unnoticed, but for me it meant I didn’t have to explain my allergies to staff or wonder whether the recipe had changed. Seeing the ingredients printed gave me confidence. It has completely changed my relationship with eating food out. It has also led to a shift in attitude — when I bring up my allergies now, the reaction is usually understanding rather than confusion.”

These examples demonstrate how policy, education and awareness work together to reduce risk and improve inclusion. 

Primary Care: A Critical Component of Whole‑Society Change

While Goal 4 emphasises societal engagement, strong primary care is fundamental to enabling people with allergy to participate safely in society. We continue to hear from patients who experience delays in diagnosis, uncertainty in primary care responses, inconsistent referral pathways and limited access to specialists.

Many of these challenges stem from well‑documented gaps in GP education and confidence relating to allergic disease. 

Allergy UK advocates for a nationwide improvement programme in primary care, including structured allergy training, standardised referral pathways and integrated community‑specialist models of care. This is essential for delivering both the clinical and societal elements of Goal 4.

Insights from our national Helpline highlight the everyday challenges faced by people living with allergy, while our free webinars build practical skills in anaphylaxis management, food allergy, skin conditions, school readiness and navigating care. Our trusted factsheets, toolkits and resources enable schools, employers and community settings to create safer, more inclusive environments. Through long‑standing policy advocacy, we ensure that the voices of those living with allergy are heard across government and the wider health system.

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