Location
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Event Date
3-31-2026
Abstract
In 2023, 13.5% of U.S. households and 12.9% of Nebraska households experienced food insecurity. The negative effect of food insecurity on the health of patients is well known and includes decreased intake of nutritious foods, increased intake of carbohydrate‑dense foods, and having to choose between paying for food versus other health needs. Food insecurity has also been associated with multiple chronic conditions (asthma, bronchitis, COPD, chronic pain, diabetes, kidney disease, sleep disorders) and lower overall health status. While food insecurity is a major problem faced by many in our community and has been highly associated with poor health outcomes. Despite this, there remains limited education on food insecurity within the medical student and resident curriculum and even fewer interprofessional experiential opportunities to address it. This pilot is an innovative, interprofessional program which connects nutrition, nursing, physicians, social work, occupational therapy and physical therapy and learners from many of these disciplines as well as undergraduate students to address food insecurity in patients being discharged from the inpatient setting. The team screens patients utilizing the Hunger Vital Signs™ and two additional questions which have been shown to increase sensitivity. For those screening positive, the team collaborates with the patient to select 10 meals tailored to their disease state, physical capabilities and preferences, which are delivered to the patient upon discharge from the hospital. In addition, patients are connected to longer‑term community resources. Participants are surveyed 1 week following food delivery on program acceptability and changes in diet. Additionally, outcome data over the 30 days following discharge including ER visit, readmission and attendance at Transitions of Care visit are measured. Early implementation focused on workflow development, screening integration, and coordination with outpatient clinics. Thus far 50 participants have been enrolled in the program. Early analysis demonstrates the importance of the two additional screening questions which identified 42.9% more patients meeting the definition of food insecurity as well as high levels of acceptability of the program.
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Included in
Food for Health: Nourishing Transitions
University of Nebraska Medical Center
In 2023, 13.5% of U.S. households and 12.9% of Nebraska households experienced food insecurity. The negative effect of food insecurity on the health of patients is well known and includes decreased intake of nutritious foods, increased intake of carbohydrate‑dense foods, and having to choose between paying for food versus other health needs. Food insecurity has also been associated with multiple chronic conditions (asthma, bronchitis, COPD, chronic pain, diabetes, kidney disease, sleep disorders) and lower overall health status. While food insecurity is a major problem faced by many in our community and has been highly associated with poor health outcomes. Despite this, there remains limited education on food insecurity within the medical student and resident curriculum and even fewer interprofessional experiential opportunities to address it. This pilot is an innovative, interprofessional program which connects nutrition, nursing, physicians, social work, occupational therapy and physical therapy and learners from many of these disciplines as well as undergraduate students to address food insecurity in patients being discharged from the inpatient setting. The team screens patients utilizing the Hunger Vital Signs™ and two additional questions which have been shown to increase sensitivity. For those screening positive, the team collaborates with the patient to select 10 meals tailored to their disease state, physical capabilities and preferences, which are delivered to the patient upon discharge from the hospital. In addition, patients are connected to longer‑term community resources. Participants are surveyed 1 week following food delivery on program acceptability and changes in diet. Additionally, outcome data over the 30 days following discharge including ER visit, readmission and attendance at Transitions of Care visit are measured. Early implementation focused on workflow development, screening integration, and coordination with outpatient clinics. Thus far 50 participants have been enrolled in the program. Early analysis demonstrates the importance of the two additional screening questions which identified 42.9% more patients meeting the definition of food insecurity as well as high levels of acceptability of the program.