Food insecurity and health outcomes at a community health center

BACKGROUND: Food insecurity is defined as “limited or uncertain access to food resulting from inadequate financial resources” (Seligman, et al. 2007). Research shows a relationship between overweight status and food insecurity yet less work links chronic disease to food insecurity.

OBJECTIVE: Demonstrate the extent of and connections between food insecurity, chronic disease and health literacy among patients from four ethnic groups at a Section 330 health center.

METHODS: Epidemiological surveys were conducted with 300 participants (Latino, African American, Vietnamese, and white). Food security was measured by the 6-item US Household and Food Security Questionnaire.

FINDINGS: Of 291 patients surveyed, 48.1% were food insecure, varying widely by ethnicity (80% of Latinos, 58.3% of white and 53.6% of African American patients were food insecure, compared with just 12% of Vietnamese). Food insecure people have more abnormal lab test results and higher Body Mass Index. Despite being 6 years younger on average, food insecure individuals reported twice as many days in the last month in which their physical and mental health were “not good” compared to food secure participants. Food insecure Latinos had lower health literacy scores than food secure Latinos.

DISCUSSION: Food insecurity facilitates significant emotional distress and health consequences. Safety net providers must be aware of the ancillary consequences of food insecurity that extend to physical and mental health. Food insecure diabetics are less able to control their blood sugar than food secure people and among Latinos food insecurity is associated with low health literacy, compounding disease management challenges.