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Death from cancer lower among patients with asthma and hay fever
Patients with asthma and hay fever appear to have a lower overall risk of dying from cancer than patients without allergic conditions, says a study in the American Journal of Epidemiology. Scientists at University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada examined data for more than one million men and women over 18 years from the American Cancer Society Cancer Prevention Study II, looking for an association between allergic disease and cancer risk. Patients with both asthma and hay fever were 12 percent less likely to die from cancer. A history of asthma only was associated with a lower risk of death due to leukemia, but a higher risk of dying from lung cancer.

Stop and go traffic exposure linked to infant wheezing
Infants who live within a football field’s distance of “stop and go” traffic are at higher risk for wheezing, says a study in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Researchers at the University of Cincinnati collected data on 622 infants during a four-year period, finding that 17 percent of those who lived near stop and go traffic (defined as within 100 meters of a bus or state route with a 50 mph or less speed limit) suffered wheezing. If subjects lived within 100 meters of such traffic, their wheezing rates were three times higher than infants with no exposure.

Sesame sensitivity on the rise globally
The number of people with sesame sensitivity is growing worldwide, according to a report in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Researchers at Michigan State University report that since 1950, when hypersensitivity to sesame was first reported in the United States, there has been a considerable increase in the number of reports. 

One last thing, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Dr. Marianne Frieri on her appointment to the AMA Residency Review Committee for Allergy and Immunology. Dr. Frieri's appointment, effective at the end of 2005, was made by the AMA Board of Trustees upon recommendation of the ACAAI.

Dr. Myron Zitt
President, ACAAI

Don’t miss Jay Leno’s benefit performance at the ACAAI Annual Meeting
Tickets are going fast for the ACAAI 14th Annual Fundraising Dinner with the star and host of NBC’s top-rated late night talk show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. The benefit performance will be held Sunday, Nov. 6, 2005, at the ACAAI Annual Meeting in Anaheim.

The fundraising program includes a reception, dinner and performance. Net proceeds from the event will be donated to the ACAAI Foundation to support The Consortium on Children's Asthma Camps; Scholars Return Programs; and Young Faculty Support Awards.

Purchase your tickets online when you register or send with your ACAAI Fundraising Dinner order form.

Save the dates for the ACAAI-HSACI meeting in Greece
The ACAAI and Hellenic Society of Allergy & Clinical Immunology (HSACI) are co-sponsoring a Joint Allergy Symposium, Allergy Update in Greece, Sept. 6-9, 2006, in beautiful Athens.

This international meeting brings together many of the finest researchers and clinicians to present cutting-edge lectures on the most important topics for the clinical practice of allergy and immunology.

Plan to join your colleagues in Athens, one of the most exciting cities in the world, the metropolis of wisdom, philosophy and inspiration. The modern Athens Ledra Marriott Hotel is the perfect venue for this meeting, with its spacious conference center and view of the Acropolis.

The preliminary program is now available online.

Allergy Practice Tip: Improving Order Workflow
Advice from The Patient-Centered Allergy Practice
In most allergy practices, the physician spends time with the patient, then leaves behind a list of orders for the nurse. Why wait? Ask the nurse into the room as soon as you know at least some of the orders. She can get started, then check in again. This lets the physician clear up any questions and prevents the exam room from being tied up. Most of the post-visit tasks are already taken care of before you wrap up. For more advice on workflow in an allergy practice, visit www.PatientCenteredAllergyPractice.com

These tips are drawn The Patient-Centered Allergy Practice, a CME Series in Practice Management, supported through an educational grant from sanofi-aventis Group and endorsed by the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.

In Memoriam: John Strimas, M.D.,
It is with deep sadness that we report the death of John H. Strimas, M.D., on July 24, 2005.

Dr. Strimas was the director and owner of the North Idaho Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Center, in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho. He was on the medical staff of Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur D’Alene and Grittman Medical Center in Moscow, Idaho. In addition to his busy clinical practice, he participated in several clinical studies and contributed to several publications.

He was voted the Best Pediatric Faculty while at East Tennessee State University School of Medicine (1981-1986), where he initiated an allergy and asthma clinic, then went for allergy/immunology fellowship at Louisiana State University Medical Center in New Orleans.

A member of the ACAAI since 1986 and a Fellow since 1991, Dr. Strimas served on several committees and on the Board of Regents. He was very active in enhancing allergy and asthma care and organized the Eighth Annual Scientific Session of the Intermountain West Allergy Association, July 28-30, in Coeur d’Alene, jointly sponsored by the College. Sadly, he passed away just four days before that meeting. Present at the memorial service were several ACAAI members, including his friend and former mentor, Dr. Sami Bahna, M.D., who shared in the eulogy and extended the College’s condolences to the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions in his name to the Foundation of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI Foundation) at 85 W. Algonquin, Suite #550, Arlington Heights, IL 60005.