Allergy in China: Challenges in research, training and clinical practice

Abstract

Allergic disorders have become some of the most common chronic conditions affecting people in the developed world. There is clear evidence linking economic development, urbanization and an increase in the prevalence of allergic disorders. Over the past 30 years, the pace of urbanization in China has been extraordinary and associated with rapid rise in the prevalence of allergic disorders. Notably, the urban population in China has increased from 50% in 2010 to 64% in 2020, and household income has doubled compared to 2010.The traditional Chinese diet, characterized by high vegetable consumption and relatively low consumption of animal fats, has shifted towards increased meat consumption. There has been marked improvement in hygiene across the country. All these factors probably contributed to the exponential increase in the number of patients with allergic disorders, highlighting the need for more training programmes in the field of allergy in order to cope with this growing burden. At the same time, the large number of patients presents an opportunity for research to develop preventive and treatment strategies for allergic diseases.