Allergic Diseases in the Developing World: An Emerging Problem or an Overseen Issue?

Abstract

Although allergic diseases were historically reported more commonly in industrialized populations, in the past decades, their rates have been on the rise globally, especially in developing countries. Trends observed in various developing countries in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America show this increasing prevalence has been attributed to the effects of modernization in those countries. Multiple risk factors of allergic diseases, such as obesity, tobacco exposure, living in close proximity of factories, or simply overcrowding, are linked to urbanization and modern life styles. It is important to note that despite lower disease rates, the impact of allergic diseases is potentially higher in developing countries with limited resources than that observed in developed countries. This is at least partly due to a lack of knowledge and inadequate access to health care. The lack of awareness about the rise of allergies must be addressed in order to decrease the burden of these diseases.