Pilot Program to Assess and Address Food Insecurity at a Student-Run Free Clinic in Southeastern Virginia

Food insecurity (FI) has numerous adverse effects on health. Patients who attend student-run free clinics (SRFC) are at high risk for FI, but screenings and interventions are rare. This project measured FI and resource utilization among patients at a SRFC and piloted an intervention. We collected da...

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Main Authors: Mackenzie K. Kelley, Agnes H. Kwak, Ellen V. Pudney
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: New Prairie Press 2024-12-01
Series:Health Behavior Research
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Online Access:https://newprairiepress.org/hbr/vol7/iss4/14/zzzz
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author Mackenzie K. Kelley
Agnes H. Kwak
Ellen V. Pudney
author_facet Mackenzie K. Kelley
Agnes H. Kwak
Ellen V. Pudney
author_sort Mackenzie K. Kelley
collection DOAJ
description Food insecurity (FI) has numerous adverse effects on health. Patients who attend student-run free clinics (SRFC) are at high risk for FI, but screenings and interventions are rare. This project measured FI and resource utilization among patients at a SRFC and piloted an intervention. We collected data from patients (N=139, 93% response rate) via 17-item self-report survey from which we generated a tailored resource booklet, and called patients after 5 weeks to assess resource utilization. Seventy-four percent of patients had FI, yet only 40% reported using any type of food assistance resource in the past 12 months. Chi-square analyses found significant differences between patients based on language-preference and FI status. Initial interest in the resource booklet was high, but on follow up (N=57, 69% response rate) booklet utilization was low due to logistical barriers, confusion, and problems accessing the resources. Our results demonstrate that patients experience FI in tandem with barriers to resource access and other social needs.
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spelling doaj-art-0cbc4b458c1d4c4781d7c1604bca4ca62024-12-25T04:13:50ZengNew Prairie PressHealth Behavior Research2572-18362024-12-017410.4148/2572-1836.1237Pilot Program to Assess and Address Food Insecurity at a Student-Run Free Clinic in Southeastern VirginiaMackenzie K. KelleyAgnes H. KwakEllen V. PudneyFood insecurity (FI) has numerous adverse effects on health. Patients who attend student-run free clinics (SRFC) are at high risk for FI, but screenings and interventions are rare. This project measured FI and resource utilization among patients at a SRFC and piloted an intervention. We collected data from patients (N=139, 93% response rate) via 17-item self-report survey from which we generated a tailored resource booklet, and called patients after 5 weeks to assess resource utilization. Seventy-four percent of patients had FI, yet only 40% reported using any type of food assistance resource in the past 12 months. Chi-square analyses found significant differences between patients based on language-preference and FI status. Initial interest in the resource booklet was high, but on follow up (N=57, 69% response rate) booklet utilization was low due to logistical barriers, confusion, and problems accessing the resources. Our results demonstrate that patients experience FI in tandem with barriers to resource access and other social needs.https://newprairiepress.org/hbr/vol7/iss4/14/zzzzfood insecuritysocial determinants of healthstudent-run free clinicunder-resourced patient populationcommunity healthfood assistance resources
spellingShingle Mackenzie K. Kelley
Agnes H. Kwak
Ellen V. Pudney
Pilot Program to Assess and Address Food Insecurity at a Student-Run Free Clinic in Southeastern Virginia
Health Behavior Research
food insecurity
social determinants of health
student-run free clinic
under-resourced patient population
community health
food assistance resources
title Pilot Program to Assess and Address Food Insecurity at a Student-Run Free Clinic in Southeastern Virginia
title_full Pilot Program to Assess and Address Food Insecurity at a Student-Run Free Clinic in Southeastern Virginia
title_fullStr Pilot Program to Assess and Address Food Insecurity at a Student-Run Free Clinic in Southeastern Virginia
title_full_unstemmed Pilot Program to Assess and Address Food Insecurity at a Student-Run Free Clinic in Southeastern Virginia
title_short Pilot Program to Assess and Address Food Insecurity at a Student-Run Free Clinic in Southeastern Virginia
title_sort pilot program to assess and address food insecurity at a student run free clinic in southeastern virginia
topic food insecurity
social determinants of health
student-run free clinic
under-resourced patient population
community health
food assistance resources
url https://newprairiepress.org/hbr/vol7/iss4/14/zzzz
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