In the new Allergist Report by the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), the professional organization points out that the demand for allergists will increase 35% by 2020, yet the supply of allergists is expected to decline.

"Without intervention, the number of allergy-immunology specialists is projected to decline by seven percent while demand will increase by 35 percent over the next dozen years," says ACAAI President Daniel Ein, M.D. "The decline in the number of qualified allergists-immunologists is primarily due to the decrease in Graduate Medical Education (GME) training programs because of limited federal funding. To cover attrition and keep up with the growing demand, training programs must increase their graduation rate by 120 allergy-immunology physicians each year."

“The shortage of allergist-immunologists is part of a developing general shortage of physicians which is more pronounced in some specialties like allergy-immunology and others," says co-author of the report, John E. Moffitt, M.D. "Though the shortage of allergists does not presently affect all locations, it is widespread and growing worse.

"The report and companion patient brochure are a call to action by health care professionals and patients impacted by allergic diseases. We urge them to call and work with their congressional delegations to develop and support legislation which will increase funding for Graduate Medical Education programs in allergy-immunology so care will be available to those who need it in the future."

Allergic diseases affect as many as 50 million people in the United States, and the incidence of asthma has tripled over the past 25 years.