Screening and Addressing Food Insecurity at Free Clinics: A Scoping Review
Graduate Level
Doctoral
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract
Food insecurity (FI) is highly prevalent among patients seeking care at free, student-run health clinics throughout the United States. This study sought to examine the existing literature investigating food insecurity screenings and interventions at student-run free clinics. This review provides demographic information and screening statistics of food insecurity interventions, the study’s primary aim, how it relates to the provided FI intervention, and barriers that studies identified while implementing FI interventions. Eligible studies needed to implement a FI screening and intervention program in a free clinic within the United States. Articles could address additional social determinants of health such as chronic conditions (e.g. obesity, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus), but had to include FI screenings and interventions. Studies on the implementation of FI programs in nonprofit and for-profit hospitals, and federally qualified health centers were excluded, as there is already significant research on FI interventions in these settings. The initial database search yielded 958 papers. Title screenings were assessed for mentions of food insecurity and/or free clinics. Abstracts of relevant articles were then screened. Five papers were included in this scoping review for analysis. Among articles, food insecurity was determined by the 6-item HFSS, a single question from the USDA food security survey, and a custom 12-item redcap survey. Methods of combating food insecurity included providing grocery deliveries; utilizing in-clinic food pantries; providing onsite food boxes; aiding patients in accessing SNAP, WIC, and food pantries in the area; and providing referrals. Barriers that contributed to food insecurity among patients included limited time due to work schedules, lack of transportation to resources, lack of identification, unstable housing arrangements, limited financial resources, insufficient support, inability to cook provided items, food expiring, embarrassment, fear of rejection, and documentation status. Few studies examined the effectiveness of interventions. Future studies on the implementation of programs targeting food insecurity should focus on an evaluation of the effectiveness of their program, assess the implementation of other FI screening assessments in identifying FI patients, and determine the efficacy of implemented FI interventions on various patient health outcomes.
Keywords
Free clinic, Food insecurity, Community health, Food assistance, Social determinants of health
Screening and Addressing Food Insecurity at Free Clinics: A Scoping Review
Food insecurity (FI) is highly prevalent among patients seeking care at free, student-run health clinics throughout the United States. This study sought to examine the existing literature investigating food insecurity screenings and interventions at student-run free clinics. This review provides demographic information and screening statistics of food insecurity interventions, the study’s primary aim, how it relates to the provided FI intervention, and barriers that studies identified while implementing FI interventions. Eligible studies needed to implement a FI screening and intervention program in a free clinic within the United States. Articles could address additional social determinants of health such as chronic conditions (e.g. obesity, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus), but had to include FI screenings and interventions. Studies on the implementation of FI programs in nonprofit and for-profit hospitals, and federally qualified health centers were excluded, as there is already significant research on FI interventions in these settings. The initial database search yielded 958 papers. Title screenings were assessed for mentions of food insecurity and/or free clinics. Abstracts of relevant articles were then screened. Five papers were included in this scoping review for analysis. Among articles, food insecurity was determined by the 6-item HFSS, a single question from the USDA food security survey, and a custom 12-item redcap survey. Methods of combating food insecurity included providing grocery deliveries; utilizing in-clinic food pantries; providing onsite food boxes; aiding patients in accessing SNAP, WIC, and food pantries in the area; and providing referrals. Barriers that contributed to food insecurity among patients included limited time due to work schedules, lack of transportation to resources, lack of identification, unstable housing arrangements, limited financial resources, insufficient support, inability to cook provided items, food expiring, embarrassment, fear of rejection, and documentation status. Few studies examined the effectiveness of interventions. Future studies on the implementation of programs targeting food insecurity should focus on an evaluation of the effectiveness of their program, assess the implementation of other FI screening assessments in identifying FI patients, and determine the efficacy of implemented FI interventions on various patient health outcomes.