Unlikely Collaborators Hosts Medical Anthropologist to Explore Rising Allergy Epidemic
Event summary
- Unlikely Collaborators hosts Spark Salon on April 7, 2026, featuring medical anthropologist Theresa MacPhail, PhD.
- Event explores the rising prevalence of allergies and immune system misidentification of harmless substances.
- MacPhail draws from her book Allergic: Our Irritated Bodies in a Changing World.
- Event will be held in person at Santa Monica headquarters and livestreamed online.
- In-person attendees receive a complimentary copy of MacPhail's book.
The big picture
Unlikely Collaborators' event highlights a growing public health concern: the dramatic rise in allergies over the past half-century. This trend intersects with broader environmental changes, including climate shifts and urbanization, which may be altering how immune systems respond to harmless substances. The nonprofit's focus on perception and interpretation aligns with the event's exploration of how bodies misread environmental signals, offering a unique lens on a pressing medical issue.
What we're watching
- Environmental Impact
- How climate change and pollution will affect allergy rates and immune system sensitivity.
- Scientific Uncertainty
- Whether ongoing research will uncover new factors contributing to the rise in allergies.
- Public Health Response
- The pace at which healthcare systems adapt to the increasing prevalence of allergic diseases.