An Intervention to Address the High Prevalence of Food Insecurity and Hunger among a Primarily Latino, Low-income Patient Population in Chelsea, MA

Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Chelsea HealthCare Center is the primary source of health care services for residents of Chelsea, Massachusetts, an urban community where poverty rates are more than double the statewide average. Chelsea is home to a large number of refugees from distinct cultures, and Latinos comprise more than 48 percent of the population. In 2003, the Food for Families research protocol was launched and converted into a permanent intervention program in 2009, with expansion beyond Pediatrics to Adult Medicine. Its purpose is to assess the prevalence of food insecurity and hunger among Pediatric and Adult Medicine primary care patients. Identified patients receive concrete food resource information and assistance with enrollment in local and government-sponsored food assistance programs.

The strength of the program hinges on the use of a validated, universal screening tool that is given to all patients upon arrival for routine appointments. From October 2008 to January 2010, 4,004 patients were screened for food insecurity in the Pediatrics department. Of these, 935 (23%) were found to be food insecure. From October 2009 through January 2010, 162 patients were screened in Adult Medicine. Of these, 85 (52 %) were found to be food insecure.

As a result of these staggering numbers, MGH Chelsea has established partnerships with the local SNAP authority (SNAP is the program formerly known as ‘Food Stamps'), and Massachusetts' leading anti-hunger organization, Project Bread. Staff members from these agencies are available to assist patients at the health center once a week.