Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Allergies in America Survey? The Allergies in America (AIA) survey is actually a two part survey conducted in
individuals with nasal allergies 4 years of age and older that assessed the
incidence, prevalence, daily life impact and treatment gaps that currently exist in
patients with nasal allergies.
The first survey was conducted in individuals 18 years and older and was the
largest and most comprehensive national survey of patient and health provider
perspectives concerning allergic rhinitis ever conducted. In this survey, a
national sample of 31,470 households in the United States were surveyed to
identify nasal allergy sufferers. Of these 31,470 households, a sample of 2,500
adults, aged 18 and older, who had been diagnosed with nasal allergies, and who
had nasal allergy symptoms or had taken prescription medicine for the allergies
in the past 12 months were identified. These individuals were interviewed by
telephone about their condition and treatment.
The second part of the survey is the largest and most comprehensive national
survey of parents of nasal allergy sufferers under the age of 18. Like the adult
AIA survey, this survey also assessed health provider perspectives concerning
allergic rhinitis among children. In this survey 35,757 households were
systematically screened in order to obtain a national probability sample of 500
adults, aged 18 and older, who had at least one child (4 17 years of age) who
had been diagnosed with nasal allergies or hay fever, and who had nasal allergy
symptoms or had taken prescription medicine for the allergies in the past 12
month were identified. These individuals were then interviewed by telephone
about their condition and treatment.
Both surveys also assessed the perception of various health care professionals
from Adult Primary Care specialties, Allergy and Otolaryngology practices as
well as Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants to assess their views on the
treatment and education gaps that currently exist in allergy management.
As the data supports, these surveys, have found considerable room for
improvement in the management of allergic rhinitis in the United States. The
Allergies in America surveys also provide a baseline against which progress
towards better management of this condition can be assessed in the coming years.