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Investing in Food Security for Better Health Outcomes

Access to nutritious food is essential for good health, yet many Americans face food insecurity, increasing their risk for chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. These health issues lower the quality of life, drive up healthcare costs and strain the healthcare system. Supporting food security programs can prevent these problems, improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs over time.

AHPA Recognizes That Food Security Is a Determinant of Health

AHPA emphasizes that food insecurity is an essential health determinant. It highlights the importance of policies addressing this issue, stressing that job creation, fair wages and expanded training opportunities are important for tackling the root causes of food insecurity. Additionally, it is important to increase enrollment in federal nutrition programs for children, such as the School Lunch Program.

Government Investment Can Create Sustainable Solutions for Food Insecurity Nationwide

Funding can support:

Expanding Food Security Screening and Referral Programs Within Healthcare Systems: This helps identify individuals at risk of food insecurity and connect them to essential resources.
Increasing Access to Healthy Food in Underserved Communities: Initiatives like mobile grocery services and community gardens ensure more people have reliable access to nutritious food.
Developing and Implementing Nutrition Education Programs: These programs teach individuals how to make healthier food choices, therefore improving overall health outcomes.
Supporting Research and Data Collection on Food Insecurity: This helps assess food insecurity’s impact on health and identify the most effective interventions.

The five AHPA health systems are already leading the way in addressing food insecurity within their communities:

AdventHealth Addresses Food Insecurity with Education and Resources

Food Access Initiatives: The Primary Care Clinic in Manchester, KY, operates a food pantry and hosts free meal events, while the Free Mobile Food Market in Mansfield, TX, provides weekly groceries and health screenings to 250+ underserved families.
Nutrition Education: The “Food is Health” program in Tampa, FL, targets food deserts by partnering with local organizations to provide nutritional education and access to healthy food. The Healthy Eating on a Budget program in Killeen, TX, teaches low-income families how to prepare nutritious meals in an affordable way.
Comprehensive Support Services: One Heart for Women and Children in Orlando, FL, delivers groceries to 55,000 households, using food security as a gateway to job training, financial literacy and self-sufficiency resources.

LLUH Takes a Proactive Approach to Improving Access to Nutritious Food

Fresh Food Access and Community Support: The Fresh Produce Distribution program partners with Bienestar and Inland Empire Health Plan to provide fresh produce to families in need, especially during crises like COVID-19. The LLUH Organic Community Garden in San Bernardino, CA, offers 30 plots for families to grow their own food and operates as a low-cost organic market.
Addressing Food Insecurity Among Students and Children: Research on LLUH students highlighted the link between food insecurity and academic performance, highlighting the need for continued support. Additionally, Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital has received grants from Rite Aid Healthy Futures to reduce food insecurity among vulnerable children.

Adventist Health Programs Connect People with Resources and Nutritional Education

Food Insecurity Screening: Adventist Health Rideout screens all inpatients for food insecurity and connects those in need with local food banks.
Community-Based Nutrition and Wellness Programs: The Blue Zones Project in Bakersfield, CA, promotes healthy eating by increasing access to nutritious food, supporting local restaurants and encouraging workplace wellness. In Sonora, CA, the EPIC Youth Coalition engages students through cooking demos and wellness workshops while promoting smoke-free community events.
Expanding Fresh Food Access: The Rooted in Purpose initiative in Hanford, CA, establishes community gardens and farmers’ markets, providing fresh produce and nutrition education to underserved areas.

Adventist HealthCare Provides Donations and Infant Nutrition

Funding Community Food Programs: Adventist HealthCare donates to organizations that address food insecurity, including those that provide medically tailored meals and nutrition counseling.
Improving Infant Nutrition: A new feeding protocol at Shady Grove Medical Center in Rockville, MD, including donor breast milk access, reduced NICU admissions for infant hypoglycemia by 50%.

Kettering Health is Helping Patients and Communities Through Better Nutrition

Empowering Patients Through Nutrition: Dr. Rachelle Dulan Hood helps patients take charge of their health by providing healthy cooking education. Kettering Health also promotes healthy eating by updating inpatient meal options with high-fiber, unprocessed and plant-forward dishes.
Expanding Community Food Access: The Gem City Market in Dayton, Ohio, is a community-owned grocery store in a food desert that provides affordable groceries, nutrition education and wellness programs for low-income families.

The Opportunity to Transform Food Security

Addressing food insecurity is not just a matter of social responsibility but also an investment in public health. Investing in programs that improve access to nutritious food will create a healthier population, reduce healthcare costs and build stronger communities.