Hungry for Change | How Nurses Can Address Food Insecurity in Our Communities

Oct 18

Hungry for Change
How Nurses Can Address Food Insecurity in Our Communities

As nurses, we're on the front lines of health care, witnessing firsthand the myriad factors that influence our patients' wellbeing. One critical issue that's often overlooked is food insecurity. It's not just about hunger – it's a complex problem with far-reaching health implications. Let's dive into what food insecurity means for our communities and how we, as nurses, can make a difference.

Understanding Food Insecurity

Food insecurity isn't just about missing meals. It's about lack of access to sufficient, nutritious food for an active, healthy life. In the U.S., it affects millions, including many of our patients. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated this issue, pushing more families into precarious situations.

The Health Impacts

Food insecurity isn't just a social issue – it's a health crisis:

  • Higher rates of mental health issues, including depression and anxiety
  • Increased risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension
  • In children, developmental delays and poor academic performance
  • For seniors, exacerbation of age-related health decline

Identifying At-Risk Patients

As nurses, we're uniquely positioned to identify food insecurity. Look out for these red flags:

  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Frequent missed appointments (possibly due to lack of transportation – often linked to food insecurity)
  • Poor medication adherence (patients may be choosing between food and medicine)
  • Signs of malnutrition or vitamin deficiencies

What Can Nurses Do?

Screen for Food Insecurity: Incorporate simple screening questions into your patient assessments. The Hunger Vital Sign™ is a quick, two-question screening tool that's easy to use.

Educate and Connect: Be ready with information about local food banks, SNAP benefits, and other resources. Sometimes, patients simply don't know what help is available.

Advocate for "Food as Medicine" Programs: Support initiatives that provide medically tailored meals or produce prescriptions for at-risk patients.

Collaborate with Dietitians: Work closely with nutrition professionals to develop manageable, affordable meal plans for food-insecure patients.

Get Involved in Community Initiatives: Participate in or organize community gardens, cooking classes, or mobile food pantries.

Advocate for Policy Change: Use your voice to support policies that address food insecurity at local and national levels.

Success Stories

Geisinger's Fresh Food Farmacy in Pennsylvania
In 2016, the Geisinger Fresh Food Farmacy program was launched in Pennsylvania to address food insecurity among patients with Type 2 diabetes. Co-founded by healthcare leaders, this program provides free, nutritious food along with education on healthy eating habits. Results have been impressive: patients who participated in the program saw an average drop in their HbA1c levels from 9.6% to 7.5% after one year, showing improved diabetes control and overall health outcomes​.

Boston Medical Center operates a preventive food pantry as part of its "Food is Medicine" initiative. This pantry provides medically tailored meals to food-insecure patients with chronic conditions. The program has been instrumental in reducing health disparities and improving patients' nutrition. It's a key example of how hospitals can directly intervene in the social determinants of health.

Rush University Medical Center's "Food is Medicine" Program
Rush University Medical Center in Chicago also runs a "Food is Medicine" initiative, incorporating food insecurity screenings into patient care. The program offers monthly food deliveries for patients with chronic illnesses and connects them with additional social resources. By addressing these root causes of poor health, Rush aims to reduce hospital readmissions and improve overall well-being​.

These real-world examples demonstrate the significant impact nurses can have in addressing food insecurity and improving community health outcomes.

The Takeaway

Food insecurity is a complex issue, but as nurses, we have the power to make a real difference. By screening for food insecurity, connecting patients with resources, and advocating for change, we can help ensure that no one has to choose between food and other basic needs.

Remember, addressing food insecurity isn't just about feeding people – it's about promoting health equity and building stronger, healthier communities. And that's what nursing is all about.