Documentary: An Emerging Epidemic: Food Allergies in America

[Macabre]

FARE has teamed up with The Discovery Channel to produce a new documentary about food allergies called "An Emerging Epidemic: Food Allergies in America." The hour-long documentary, narrated by Steve Carell, explores what it is like to live with life-threatening food allergies, how families and individuals managing food allergies are working to raise awareness in their communities, and the vital research underway to find effective treatments and a cure.

http://www.foodallergy.org/emerging-epidemic#.UipCPpJwqSo

The documentary will debut on Saturday, September 7 at 8 a.m. ET/PT and air again on Saturday, September 21 at 8 a.m. ET/PT. The documentary will also be available for viewing online at www.discoverychannelpatienteducation.com and available for download on iTunes.

[Macabre]

Hmmm. Now I need to see if we get the Discovery Channel.

[GoingNuts]

My DVR is set!

[tigerlily]

Promoted on my FB page. Looking forward to it.

[Macabre]

Here's a link to the vimeo preview.  This is what worked on my FB.  The FARE link was kinda wonky.  I hope others have luck with it!

Headsup:  migraineurs skip  to 5 seconds in--or close your eyes.  Really. 

An Emerging Epidemic: Food Allergies in America preview on Vimeo

[nonuteen]

Did anyone watch it yet?  I just caught the last half and spent the entire time in tears!! 

[Stinky10]

oh no....I watched the first 20 min with dS (9 PA) and it was rough....he was mostly annoyed b/c he wanted to play xbox.    We'll watch later as a family - or I might watch it through first when they go to bball.

[paparenttoo]

Here is a link to the Discovery Channel Web Page, you can watch the program there on the net:

http://www.discoverychannelcme.com/patient-education/food-allergies

I thought it was well done.

[booandbrimom]

I guess I'm just cynical.

This was paid for by Mylan. It was in that time slot because the time was most likely BOUGHT, just like ad space.

It wasn't targeted to people without food allergies. It was targeted to us. And they used the word "death" probably a hundred times. (Dare you - go back and count.)

I don't see how this will help our cause at all. But it might help sell Epi-Pens.

[CMdeux]

Yeah, but does "us" there mean us-us?  Or "food allergic persons and their parents"?

That's not necessarily the same group.

Full disclosure, though-- I haven't watched it.  Might have time later, might not.

[booandbrimom]

Yeah, but does "us" there mean us-us?  Or "food allergic persons and their parents"?

That's not necessarily the same group.

Us-us.

There are parents who have kids with allergies who obsess (which I mean in the best of ways of course), and those who don't. I don't see this getting an audience outside of parents who are already on social media sites. Preaching to the choir.

I know, I know, I'm always glass-half-empty girl. But until a video addresses the root causes of the polarization around food allergies, all the cute kids in the world will not make a difference to change the minds of the people who make our lives hell.

[CMdeux]

Gotcha.

Well, that's pretty stupid public outreach, then, given that those people actually PAYING attention to it probably already purchase EpiPens in quantity.

LOL.

Maybe it's like a book report, though... and they actually learned something in producing it, meaning that they won't have any more of those appalling advertisements about eating birthday cake because of having an epipen...

[booandbrimom]

Well, that's pretty stupid public outreach, then, given that those people actually PAYING attention to it probably already purchase EpiPens in quantity.

Maybe some of us very responsive parents who actually fill their epinephrine prescriptions will see the video and think "aw, geez, look at what Mylan's doing for us. Maybe I should consider getting an Epi-Pen instead of Auvi-Q."



I agree that it's stupid...but what else are you going to do if you're Mylan? People are all jumping ship for Auvi-Q. Mylan can't/won't redesign their product, so they have to pick around the edges to keep whatever market share they can.

I'm sure that's why I'm getting "your prescription has expired" letters all of a sudden from them as well. When there's huge market share on the line, the investment dollars are suddenly freed up for these types of activities.

Three words make me laugh every single time I see them: "Mylan Blogger Summit." 

[nonuteen]

I think they did a great job.  I think any amount of awareness we can get out there is a good thing.  I felt so alone 16 years ago when my daughter had her first reaction. 

I felt like the documentary did a great job explaining the seriousness of food allergies and  captured what it feels like to be a food allergic parent and or child. Not only did it stress the seriousness but also gave a sense of hope that while it is difficult and has it challenges, kids affected can still lead normal lives especially if they have support and empathy from the community.  We have to rely so much on teachers, nurses, coaches to help keep our children safe when they are out of our care...
It did stress that the only treatment right now is pretty much avoidance and epinephrine which unfortunately seems to be true.  It also discussed the hope for finding a cure.  16 years ago, our allergist told us she thought we would have one in 10 years, here we are 16 years later and not much has changed....

I'm all for more awareness any way we can get it and hope this is viewed by many.  I will recommend it to friends and family and educators.

[nonuteen]

Also, it is narrated by Steve Carrell and Max"s dad looks very similar to him.  I was wondering if it might be his brother and Max is his nephew.  Just a thought...