Assessment of Food Insecurity in an Academic Family Medicine Practice

The aims of this project were to 1) assess the baseline knowledge of clinical providers of one social determinant - food insecurity - and 2) assess the prevalence of food insecurity in the patient population in a large urban family medicine practice in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. . The literature has shown that regular screening is an effective means of linking patients with needed food resources. Food insecurity has been associated with multiple health conditions across the lifespan. A survey was designed to assess the discussion held between family medicine providers and patients on food affordability. The U.S. Household Food Security Survey Module was used to screen a convenience sample of patients and families to provide an estimate of the food insecurity rate in the practice. Sixty one percent of providers responded to the survey with only a minority (8.6%) reporting regular discussions about food affordability with their patients. Thirty two percent of 150 patients/family members sampled screened positive for living in a food insecure household. This rate of food insecurity is significantly higher than local and national rates. The results of the clinician survey and Food Security Survey provide support for further provider training and regular screening of patients to address food insecurity and enhance patient health. Presentation: 20 minute