The Amish have Decreased Asthma and Allergic Diseases Compared to Old Order Mennonites

The prevalence of allergic diseases is increasing worldwide, particularly in Westernized regions. Epidemiologic studies from several continents have shown an association between infants born into farming environments and significantly decreased frequency of asthma and allergic diseases. The protective factors in farming environments remain poorly understood but may include animal exposure and farm (unprocessed) milk ingestion 1,2. The Amish, Old Order Mennonites (OOM), and Hutterites are distinct Anabaptist traditional agrarian cultures.

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