Dominique Brown’s Death Is A Warning For Black Women

Food allergies can quickly turn into life-or-death situations if not handled with precaution, and the recent passing of Dominique Brown is an unfortunate example.

Dominique Brown attends The Power Of Joy: Creator Summit, presented by Disney at Walt Disney Studios on April 29, 2024 in Burbank, California.  Source: Leon Bennett / Getty

According to Allergic Living, Black women face many unique challenges when it comes to living with food allergies, including a higher prevalence and severity of reactions in comparison to other demographics.

Recent studies have revealed that Black people as a whole are more likely to report more than one food allergy, and non-Hispanic Black adults face alarming rates of severe reactions at roughly 50.6%

As previously reported by MadameNoire, popular Disney influencer Dominque Brown passed away on Dec. 5 after reportedly suffering an allergic reaction while attending an industry event. The incident in question was hosted by pop-culture-themed retail company BoxLunch when Brown reportedly unknowingly consumed something that triggered an allergic reaction.

In a report shared via X, a close family friend alleged that Brown was assured that there were no peanuts in the food. Still, after feeling unwell following the meal she was taken to the hospital, where she unfortunately succumbed to her allergy shortly after that.

“Our hearts go out to her family and friends, and we will do everything we can to support them and the members of the BoxLunch Collective and our team during this painful time,” read an official statement from the company.

In the case of Brown and countless others, food allergy reactions can be avoided if the proper precautions are taken. While it is challenging to track deaths related to food allergies due to variations in reporting, specific disparities when it comes to Black women facing them are very clear thanks to lack of healthcare access and emergency management.

Moreover, when Black women warn others or try to give a heads-up regarding any food allergies, their concerns (much like others) aren’t taken seriously.

With the holiday season underway, this tragedy calls for a crucial lesson for those who may be hosting family and friends, as well as precautions that can be taken by those living with food allergies.

1. Gather Allergy Information Early

If you’ve decided to host loved ones for a holiday, be sure to request any food allergies that your dinner guests may have and communicate them directly to whoever is in charge of the food, whether it will be prepared in-house or via catering.

2. Label Ingredients Clearly

To avoid any confusion, it is important to provide a detailed ingredient list on the menu whether you are hosting someone with a food allergy or not. Not only will this make guests aware of what they’re consuming, but it can also prevent any accidental exposure to foods that can trigger an allergic reaction.

3. Train Staff

For more intimate settings, make sure that anyone in your household knows how to recognize allergic reactions and respond quickly, including using epinephrine. If this is a company-wide or more significant scale event, having your staff professionally trained to help those with allergies is also worth budgeting.

4. Communicate Clearly and Wear Alerts

If you have a food allergy, it is important to inform hosts or staff about any allergies and take extra precautions to ensure food safety. Another option is to consider wearing allergy ID bracelets to help others clearly identify your allergies and take the proper steps in case of an emergency.