Developing and Implementing a "Hunger-Free Hospital" Model

In 2010, approximately 14.5 % of households in the US were food insecure sometime during the year (Nord, Coleman-Jensen, Andrews, & Carlson, 2010). Children living in households that are food insecure are particularly vulnerable to developmental delays, physical illness and socio-emotional stress. Even marginal food insecurity can affect a young child's development, learning potential and later life success. The "hunger-free hospital" is one way of addressing food insecurity and its associated problems. This new model was developed to address high levels of food insecurity among vulnerable families in the US. This model stresses the importance of food insecurity surveillance, and access to healthy food as a central resource in order to prevent illness and maintain health. Consequently, hospitals are considered a hub for tracing, treating and preventing illnesses associated with food insecurity. A medical institution may fulfill a number of criteria to become committed or designated as a "hunger-free hospital." The basis of the model is to screen patients for food insecurity, and then connect positively screened patients with short and long term nutrition assistance. Furthermore, the information obtained through these food insecurity screenings may be recorded in the patient's Electronic Medical Record for future reference and used to more comprehensively treat food insecure patients. Aggregate data may also be relayed to the city government to allow more accurate tracking and record keeping of food insecurity rates at a city-wide, and potentially state or nation-wide level. Implementation of this model relies on building relationships with key stakeholders, such as hospitals, government agencies, food providers, food pantries and city administrators. The contribution of hospitals interested in the "hunger-free hospital" project is dependent on their willingness to address and ability to achieve outlined objectives in the model. Each hospital, city and state has their own culture, beliefs and best interests in terms of addressing food insecurity in their own areas. Therefore, adjustments for the best-fit model are necessary for successful implementation. Reaching more medical institutions and branching out to nearby regions is recommended for the continual expansion of this project. The ongoing dissemination of the "hunger-free hospital" model may be used as an intervention for addressing food insecurity or used as a significant part of a larger plan for providing surveillance and alleviating food insecurity in the US.