Hospitals Take Hunger Into Their Own Hands

Some health systems and hospitals are expanding their focus from traditional medical conditions by bolstering efforts to treat hunger, according to an article from U.S. News & World Report.

Healthcare reform is changing how hospitals and health systems approach the health of a population. Through carrots and sticks, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act intended to turn the healthcare delivery system around, from a system where hospitals focus on treating acute illnesses to one in which providers benefit from keeping people healthy.

Health systems are pursuing this goal through a myriad of strategies, but some are teaming up with community stakeholders to better "move the needle" on the social determinants of health, according to the report. One of the biggest determinants is hunger and nutrition. Food insecurity affected nearly one in six U.S. households in 2011, according to the hunger-relief charity Feeding America.

The report mentions just a few systems working to address hunger. Toledo, Ohio-based ProMedica is building a $1.5 million grocery store with fresh produce in one of the city's food deserts. ProMedica has established itself as a champion for food access and nutrition. It reclaimed "tens of thousands of pounds" of unserved food from a local casino last year, and then repackaged it into 50,000 meals for people. It began screening patients for food insecurity last fall.

Some hospitals, such as Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, have established protocols to identify patients who have difficulty affording food. Since 2008, Massachusetts General has screened senior and youth patients for food insecurity. If they respond "yes" to one of two screening questions, hospital staff then helps patients complete an application for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as food stamps). Some of the hospital's clinics also offer food pantries and healthy meal cooking courses.

New Milford (Conn.) Hospital noticed high malnutrition rates among older patients, which often led to readmissions. The hospital launched a series of senior suppers and "chef advocates" programs, developed in partnership with local senior centers and youth agencies to address the malnutrition as well as rising diabetes rates among young people. Since 2009, the hospital has served 14,560 seniors a meal for the discounted price of $5, about half the actual cost, according to the report.  

There are certainly altruistic reasons for hospitals to address food insecurity, but research also suggests hunger-relief and nutrition programs can bolster hospitals' bottom lines.

A study in last month's Health Affairs by University of California, San Francisco, found that for low-income patients with diabetes, the risk of hospital admission for hypoglycemia increased 27 percent in the last week of the month versus the first week. Such was not the case for higher income populations.

Researchers suggested the spike in admissions was linked to paychecks and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program running out before month's end.

More Articles on Population Health:

5 Myths Surrounding the Business of Population Health Management
What Organizations do Hospitals Partner With for Population Health?
Paying for Population Health: Why Rewarding Value is Key

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