World Allergy Week is an annual initiative of the World Allergy Organization (WAO), together with its Member Societies, to raise awareness of allergic disease and related disorders and advocate for the provision of training and resources in the diagnosis, management, and prevention of these diseases and asthma, which are rising in prevalence around the world.

WAO established the initiative with the vision of bringing together multiple stakeholder groups including physicians, medical educators, patient advocates, policy makers, the general public, and health care authorities for an integrated approach to addressing the needs of patients who suffer from allergic diseases and asthma and those who provide care for them.

Each year, WAO highlights a disease topic that needs greater public awareness around the world. WAO Member Societies and the WAO Centers of Excellence participate locally or regionally. They hold educational events for the public as well as healthcare practitioners, or media events to promote general awareness of the disease topic, or other awareness activities based on local needs. WAO provides resources, hosts an international webinar, and disseminates educational information through various channels.

This year the theme will be Anaphylaxis.

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