Adolescents and young people are usually regarded as a healthy age group and healthcare resources tend not to focus on them. However, regarding allergic diseases, this is a critical period, with the highest death rate due to allergic reactions to foods. Also, poor asthma control is common and asthma deaths are more common in adolescents than in younger children in many countries. Allergic rhinitis peaks in AYP often leading to impaired school and work performance. Finally, atopic dermatitis impacts negatively on quality of life, self-esteem and identity, particularly in girls. Adolescence and young adulthood is a critical age that involves rapid physical, emotional, cognitive and social changes. Such adolescent factors can get in the way of good self-management of long term conditions. The aim of this Taskforce is to provide a framework on the particular features of AYP with allergic diseases, their challenges and specific needs, as well as on strategies with proven effectiveness to improve their selfcare and wellbeing. This will allow us to produce specific recommendations to optimize healthcare and outcomes in this critical age group, as well as to identify unmet needs and further work that may be required in the field.

Chair: Graham Roberts
Secretary: Marta Vazquez Ortiz