High Rates Of Food Insecurity Research Articles

Stakeholder mapping to explore social and economic capital of Rotating Savings and Credit Associations (ROSCAs) to increase demand for and access to healthy food

IntroductionSouth Africa, grappling with the complexities of malnutrition, faces a dual challenge of undernutrition in children and overnutrition in adults, particularly among women. This situation is exacerbated by high rates of food insecurity, affecting nearly one-fourth of households. In this context, the role of Rotating Savings and Credit Associations (ROSCAs), locally known as stokvels, becomes increasingly significant. These informal, often women-led, savings and borrowing groups present a unique opportunity to address dietary challenges and promote healthier eating practices in urban, low-income settings. This study explores the potential of stokvels in mitigating the dual burden of malnutrition by facilitating access to healthy, affordable foods.MethodsWe conducted stakeholder mapping to understand the roles and influences of various actors within South Africa's food system, particularly their interactions with stokvels. Our research focuses on how these groups, deeply embedded in the community fabric, can leverage their collective power to negotiate better access to nutritious food and influence healthier dietary choices. Stakeholders identified in the study span diverse sectors, including retail, agriculture, finance, and community organizations.ResultsThe research reveals that stokvels are perceived as vital social and economic entities capable of maximizing value through partnerships and networks. However, challenges such as the informal nature of stokvels and the lack of formal legal agreements often hinder their ability to form partnerships with formal institutions. The findings emphasize the importance of understanding and leveraging the social dynamics within stokvels, recognizing their role in enhancing food security and contributing to economic empowerment, especially for women. The study also identifies the need for formalizing stokvel structures to enhance their operational efficiency and increase their impact on food systems.DiscussionIn conclusion, this research highlights the untapped potential of stokvels in addressing South Africa's nutritional challenges. By fostering stronger connections between stokvels and various food system actors, there is a significant opportunity to improve food security and promote healthier eating habits in low-income communities. Future research should aim to include unrepresented stakeholders and explore strategies to enhance the role of ROSCAs in promoting healthier food choices and addressing affordability and accessibility barriers.

Vision impairment and food insecurity in the national health and aging trends study

IntroductionVision impairment (VI) may further exacerbate older adults’ vulnerability to experiencing food insecurity and may be a unique and important target for policies addressing access to nutritional food. The purpose of this study is to determine the association of VI in older adults with food insecurity.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional analysis of round 11 (2021) of the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), a nationally representative survey of U.S. Medicare beneficiaries ages 65 and older. Participants include 2,815 older adults with complete data on at least one objective measure of vision (distance, near or contrast sensitivity) and food insecurity. Food insecurity was assessed using a previously developed indicator of food insecurity in NHATS. VI was defined as binocular visual acuity (VA) worse than 0.3 logMAR (Snellen equivalent 20/40) at distance or its near equivalent, or contrast sensitivity (CS) worse than 1.55 logUnits. Continuous VI measures included distance and near VA (per 0.1 logMAR), and CS (per 0.1 logCS).ResultsParticipants were majority White (82%) and female (55%), and 3% had food insecurity. Older adults with any VI had a greater prevalence of food insecurity than adults without VI (5.0% vs. 2.0%, p < 0.05). In fully adjusted regression analyses, individuals with any VI experienced double the odds of food insecurity than individuals without VI (OR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.2–3.6). Distance VI (measured continuously) was associated with 1.2 times the odds of food insecurity (OR = 1.2; 95% CI: 1.0–1.3, per 0.1 logMAR). All other vision measures trended towards higher odds of food insecurity, though not statistically significant.DiscussionOlder adults with VI experience higher rates of food insecurity than their peers. Interventions to improve food security should be targeted towards addressing the specific barriers faced by visually impaired older adults.

Fruit and Vegetable Intake, Food Security, Barriers to Healthy Eating, and Empowerment among Dietetic Interns and Physician Assistant Interns: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study.

Students are required to complete supervised practice hours prior to becoming Registered Dietitians and Physician Assistants. Research suggests that environmental and social factors affect dietetic interns' diets during their internship, although these factors have not been studied among physician assistant interns. This cross-sectional study utilized an online survey to compare dietetic interns' (n = 81) and physician assistant interns' (n = 79) fruit and vegetable intake, food security, barriers to healthy eating, and empowerment for making healthy dietary choices during an internship. Differences were assessed via independent t-tests and chi-square distributions. The significance was set at p < 0.05. Dietetic interns had a higher vegetable intake (p = 0.002) while physician assistant interns had higher rates of food insecurity (p = 0.040). Dietetic interns reported a greater impact on their dietary choices due to mental fatigue (p = 0.006), while physician assistant interns' dietary choices were more heavily impacted by peer influence, interactions with patients, and interactions with preceptors (p < 0.05). There was not a group difference in overall empowerment (p = 0.157), although both groups rated empowerment for asking for help with food and nutrition challenges the lowest of the empowerment sub-items. Addressing interns' unique needs may support students' educational success and wellbeing once they are professionals, promote a diverse workforce, and ensure optimal care for patients.

Food security and nutrition in refugee camps in the European Union: Development of a framework of analysis linking causes and effects

AbstractThe literature on food security and nutrition -FSN among refugees found high rates of food insecurity- FI among refugees in both, low- and middle-income - LMIC countries and high-income countries- HIC. Despite high rates of FI among refugees in HIC, little is known about FSN status of refugees and asylum-seekers living in refugee camps in the European Union- EU. This paper addresses this knowledge gap by reviewing issues related to the Food Security and Nutrition-FSN of refugees in the EU and worldwide and provides three main contributions to the existing knowledge. Firstly, it identifies the main drivers of FSN in a refugee context and offer a causal framework describing the main causes and effects of FNI in refugee camps. The immediate causes of FNI are poor Shelter and Settlement, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene and Healthcare. Moreover, secondary causes of FNI are the lack of adaptation to a new environment; Lack of culturally adapted food; Inadequate FSN interventions; Poor livelihood strategies. Secondly, it demonstrates that FNI exists in European refugee camps underscoring that EU member states have been unable to deliver sustainable solutions towards the realization of FSN in the E.U. Finally, the paper calls for a multisectoral and non-discriminatory European common policy targeting refugees’ FSN.

Food Insecurity and Mental Health Outcomes Among Transgender and Gender-Diverse Communities in the United States Post-COVID-19

A growing body of literature has shown that people in the transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) community have worse health outcomes than cisgender (cis) people, including higher rates of poor mental health. Additionally, during COVID-19, TGD persons experienced higher rates of food insecurity. In this article, we extend the literature by looking at new data in the post-COVID-19 period, a period of greater stability. Using data from the U.S. Census Household Pulse Survey (HPS), we explore the relationship between gender identity and health outcomes. The HPS began collecting data on gender identity of participants from July 2021. We analyze responses from 1.2 million survey participants between July 2021 and May 2023. Using an ordinary least squares regression model with state and week fixed effects, we show that, on average, TGD people are seven percentage points more likely to report experiencing food insecurity compared with cis persons. TGD persons also report more symptoms of depression (six percentage points) and anxiety (four percentage points) than cis persons. These results hold after controlling for the socioeconomic, demographic, and sexual identity characteristics of the individuals, suggesting that this gender identity imposes an additional cost that cannot be explained by social determinants of health. We find that health insurance and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program do not provide very much protection to TGD individuals. In summary, our article suggests the need for safety nets that target specific contextual and institutional challenges faced by TGD communities to reduce health disparities across the country.

Food Insecurity Among Community College Caregivers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Objective: The purpose of this paper was to examine variables associated with food insecurity among community college caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We used data from a multi-institutional survey of 15,051 caregivers enrolled at 130 community colleges in 42 states in fall 2020. We used a logistic regression to examine whether demographic, academic, caregiving-related, financial, or COVID-19-related variables were associated with caregivers’ food insecurity. Results: Over half (52%) of community college caregivers experienced food insecurity. Transgender caregivers, first-generation caregivers, and caregivers who were divorced or single, had multiple disabilities, were previously in foster care, and had a family that experienced trouble making ends meet growing up had significantly ( p &lt; .05) higher probabilities of experiencing food insecurity. Community college caregivers who used childcare and those with at least one child up to 12 years old also had increased probabilities of experiencing food insecurity. Moreover, caregivers who felt childcare was not affordable and believed that they did not earn enough money to make employment worthwhile after paying for childcare expenses had higher probabilities of experiencing food insecurity, as did those who experienced housing insecurity and used Pell grants, student loans, and support from friends or family to pay for college. Losing a job, experiencing cuts to work hours or wages, employment as a frontline worker, and contracting COVID were associated with higher probabilities of food insecurity. Contributions: Community college caregivers experienced high rates of food insecurity during the pandemic and some caregivers were at greater risk of exacerbated probabilities of food insecurity. We advocate for targeted interventions, wraparound services, and increased advocacy for legislation to support student caregivers.

Perceived nutrition needs of people experiencing disadvantage in utilizing support services: An Australian case study

AbstractIndividuals experiencing socio‐economic disadvantage face higher rates of food insecurity and health disparities. This study explored the perceptions, attitudes, and knowledge of individuals providing nutrition services, and users of these services, to identify nutrition needs and inform potential strategies for addressing diet‐related health inequities. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted utilizing a phenomenological approach to explore lived experiences, beliefs, and perceptions influencing nutrition‐related health. Key themes were derived by consensus among researchers using inductive thematic analysis. Twenty‐two interviews were completed, which identified five themes. “Budgetary Constraints” was found to have a pervasive impact on all nutrition‐related services. Secondly, diverse “Individual Clientele” was found to influence three overlapping themes pertaining to opportunities and limitations for “Knowledge and Skills,” “Services, Resources and Staff,” and the “Systems and Food Environment.” Budgets directly impact the availability of services, resources, food provision, sustainability, and educational opportunities for staff, volunteers and service users. A live‐in environment offers a platform to implement and evaluate targeted interventions to inform and enhance nutrition‐related support services. Future interventions should address individual and systemic influences, prioritizing client‐informed, cost‐effective, sustainable capacity building for clients and staff. Recommendations for systemic and environmental influences include formalized staff training, peer‐mentoring systems, and increasing client autonomy. This has the potential to improve food security for residents following their transition into independent living. Charitable system limitations underscore the need for broader systemic change, informed policymaking, and government intervention to effectively address the root causes of food insecurity and diet‐related health inequities.

Gender, sexuality, and food access: An exploration of food security with LGBTQIA2S+ university students

Although research has been limited to date, food insecurity in the United States has been shown to be more pervasive among the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, agender, asexual, and Two-Spirit (LGBTQIA2S+) commu­nity, affecting millions annually. College and uni­versity students also experience statistically signifi­cantly higher rates of food insecurity than nonstudents. This research examines food insecu­rity at the intersection of the LGBTQIA2S+ com­munity and the university and college student pop­ulation, as told by the community itself. A qualitative, participatory approach and methods of Photovoice and semi-structured interviews with eight self-identified LGBTQIA2S+ university stu­dents studying at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) were used to explore the factors influencing participants’ food access. Data were analyzed using thematic decomposition analy­sis guided by intersectionality and queer theories. LGBTQIA2S+ identities were found to signifi­cantly impact food access, which was further influ­enced by physical, socio-cultural, and political envi­ronments. Barriers to food access include experiences with discrimination on and off cam­pus, poor support systems, a lack of full-selection grocery stores on or near campus, religious influ­ences, the stigma associated with needing food assistance, mental and physical health conditions, financial constraints, time limitations, and lacking transportation options. Understanding the intersec­tionality of LGBTQIA2S+ students’ experiences and providing relevant and effective support is needed to improve equitable access to nutritious and affordable foods. The findings of this research provide novel insights into food insecurity, an issue that is increasingly influencing the health and well-being of LGBTQIA2S+ university students.

“Part of Who We Are…”: A Review of the Literature Addressing the Sociocultural Role of Traditional Foods in Food Security for Indigenous People in Northern Canada

Indigenous people in northern Canada have relied on sustained and safe access to traditional foods for millennia. Today, however, they experience higher rates of food insecurity than non-Indigenous people or Indigenous people living in urban settings. Changing socioeconomic and environmental conditions in the Canadian north have altered traditional food acquisition and consumption patterns, with implications for health and wellbeing, and cultural continuity. To assess the breadth and depth of scholarship on the sociocultural role of traditional foods in northern Indigenous food security, we conducted a scoping review of online peer-reviewed articles. The 22 articles selected and screened for comprehensive review affirmed that traditional foods remain vital and central to food security for northern Indigenous populations. However, our review brings to light a recurring tendency in these studies to disregard or inadequately consider the complex sociocultural dimensions of traditional foods, such as the critical role of food processing, cooking, and sharing in supporting Indigenous food security. To address this gap and ensure food security is aligned with Indigenous-defined needs and priorities, community-led research is needed, grounded in Indigenous knowledge that promotes access to traditional foods and affirms Indigenous food sovereignty.

Addressing hunger among households with children utilizing food assistance resources: an analysis of food pantry users

Abstract Aim Households with children have higher rates of food insecurity compared to households without children. Financial instabilities, including job loss, decreased income, and family structure changes are food insecurity risk factors. During the COVID-19 pandemic, programs were implemented to alleviate the impacts on food insecurity, but those expanded benefits were decreased in March 2023, leaving many families with economic burden. Subject and methods This study used a cross-sectional survey administered to food pantry users across ten food pantries in Eastern Massachusetts from June to August 2018, with 279 users reporting at least one child in the household. The outcome, hunger, was assessed using a modified version of the Household Hunger Scale. Households were categorized (one child, two children, or three or more children). Mixed-effects logistic regression models assessed the relationship between hunger categories and number of children in the household. Results This study found that having more children in the household increases the severity of hunger. Households with at least three children had 1.46 times the odds (95% CI: 1.08, 1.97) of moderate hunger and 1.85 times the odds (95% CI: 1.11, 3.07) of severe hunger compared to one-child households. Severe hunger was associated with monthly household income, with higher incomes having a protective effect for severe hunger. Conclusion Programs and policies addressing food insecurity are critical for supporting households with children already accessing supports, so removal of benefits may impact food insecurity. A multi-pronged approach including government-funded benefits and food pantry services is most effective in alleviating food insecurity. Significance Previous studies show that food insecurity increases with more children in the household compared to households without children, but focus less on populations already utilizing food assistance programs such as food pantries. This study examines hunger in households with children who are already at risk for food insecurity and receive food pantry services. Studying this population is essential given the recent decision by the US government to remove expanded COVID-19 benefits addressing food insecurity. Households with children experiencing food insecurity now depend upon those benefits and will be affected by their removal. These study findings can inform future resource allocation.

Impact of COVID-19 on food security and diet quality in Chilanga District, Zambia

IntroductionFood security and nutrition have been severely impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We aimed to quantify the impacts of the pandemic on food security and diet diversity within Chilanga District in Zambia and identify target areas for high-impact social protection and safety net programs.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study in Chilanga district immediately after the Omicron variant surge in February 2022. Diet quality and food security were assessed based on a household diet questionnaire and a Minimum Dietary Diversity-Women (MDD-W) score was calculated. A paired t-test was used to determine whether there was a statistically significant change in the MDD-W score and McNemar test was used to investigate the change in food security between the pre- and peri-COVID-19 period.ResultsCompared to the pre-COVID-19 period, there were increases in food prices across the board in the peri-COVID-19 period and decreased consumption of key food categories including legumes, dairy and vitamin A rich foods. Despite high rates of food insecurity, only 6.6% of surveyed households received any cash or in-kind assistance from a government agency, non-profit, or other organization in the post-COVID-19 period.ConclusionThe COVID-19 pandemic had significant impacts on food security and dietary diversity in Chilanga district. This is particularly relevant in the low-income communities that we surveyed, which had pre-existing challenges with food security. Additional resources must be invested in Chilanga District and similarly affected areas to address this gap in access to food and promote national equity.Trial Registration N/A.

South-to-South parental migration patterns and excess weight among children: Insights from a national cross-sectional study in Colombia.

Evidence from Latin America suggests that children embedded in South-to-North migrant networks (i.e. relatives who live abroad, typically in the United States) are at increased risk of excess weight. It is unclear if the same findings apply to children embedded in Latin American intraregional migration or South-to-South migration networks. To compare excess weight among Colombian children embedded in South-to-South migration networks (n = 334) to children with non-migrant parents (n = 4272) using Colombia's 2015 National Survey of the Nutritional Situation. Prevalence ratios (PRs) for excess weight (BMI z-score ≥1) by parent migration history were estimated using weighted multivariable logistic regression adjusting for demographics, child behaviours, community and household indicators, including household food insecurity. Most migrant parents returned to Colombia from Venezuela (84%) and reported higher household food insecurity rates than non-migrant parents (59% versus 32%). Models excluding household food insecurity showed that excess weight among children with migrant parents was 51% lower (PR = 0.49; 95% CI 0.25, 0.98) than among children with non-migrant parents. After adjustment for household food insecurity, no statistically significant differences were found. Colombian children with return migrant parents from Venezuela experienced less excess weight than children with non-migrant parents, but higher rates of food insecurity in migrant households might partially explain this difference. This study calls attention to two serious public health concerns for Colombian children-those who have excess weight and those who lack sufficient food, particularly among migrant returnees (a situation that may have worsened since the COVID-19 pandemic).

Negotiating dignity and social justice in community food access spaces

Purpose This study aims to explore how key stakeholders and recipients of local food access programs operate strategically to meet individual and community food needs, enhance experiences of dignity and promote social justice. The study of a fragmented community food system highlights the connections between micro and meso dimensions of food access, illustrating how people work around food system limitations to access food. Design/methodology/approach Using qualitative in-depth interviews with food assistance managers, workers, volunteers and recipients, this study examines the period before the implementation of a centralized community-based food access initiative in a mid-sized, rural Oklahoma college town with a high rate of food insecurity. This study asks: What are community members’ experiences in a fragmented food assistance system? In what ways do individuals use everyday resistance and workarounds to actively promote experiences of dignity and social justice in food access spaces? Findings Those involved in sites of community food access build important networks to share information and engage in negotiation and trade to gain access to useful food resources. As forms of everyday resistance, such practices encourage co-construction of dignity and social justice in stigmatized spaces. Originality/value This research contributes to literature examining micro- and meso-level community dynamics that inform agency, dignity and social justice in community food access approaches.

Food Insecurity, Neighborhood Food Environment, and Health Disparities: State of the Science, Research Gaps and Opportunities

Food insecurity and the lack of access to affordable, nutritious food are associated with poor dietary quality and an increased risk of diet-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Those of lower socioeconomic status and racial and ethnic minority groups experience higher rates of food insecurity, are more likely to live in under-resourced food environments, and continue to bear the greatest burden of diet-related chronic diseases in the United States. Despite the growing body of literature in this area, there are still significant gaps in our understanding of the various pathways that link food insecurity and neighborhood food environments to racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in health and the most effective intervention strategies to address these disparities. To better understand the science in this area, the National Institutes of Health, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), convened a virtual 3-d workshop 21–23 September 2021: Food Insecurity, Neighborhood Food Environment, and Nutrition Health Disparities: State of the Science. The workshop brought together a diverse group of researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and federal partners with expertise in nutrition, the food environment, health and social policy, and behavioral and social sciences. The workshop had the following 3 research objectives: 1) summarize the state of the science and knowledge gaps related to food insecurity, neighborhood food environments, and nutrition health disparities, 2) identify research opportunities and strategies to address research gaps, and 3) examine evidence-based interventions and implementation approaches to address food insecurity and neighborhood food environments to promote health equity. This article summarizes workshop proceedings and describes research gaps and future opportunities that emerged from discussions.

Helping Us Grow Stronger (HUGS)/Abrazos: a community-based initiative improved perinatal mental health in an urban cohort

Targeted programs aimed at improving maternal mental health, particularly among those exposed to social determinants of health, are increasingly critical since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, yet the impact of such programs is poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a novel, language-concordant community-based program on perinatal mental health. We conducted a prospective cohort study of peripartum individuals referred to a new community-based intervention known as Helping Us Grow Stronger (HUGS/Abrazos). Participants received up to 4 remote sessions with a cognitive behavioral therapy trained social worker, up to 3 resource navigation sessions with a community health worker, and direct relief with a grocery gift card and care package. Before and after the program, participants completed validated survey instruments to assess mental health and social determinants of health. A total of 178 participants were assessed after program completion, including 133 who were assessed before and after the program. The cohort was composed of 62.9% Hispanic or Latinx participants with a mean age of 29.8 year (standard error of mean, 0.46). There were high rates of food insecurity (111/178; 62.4%), experiences of discrimination (119/178; 66.9%), and SARS-CoV-2 infection (105/178; 59.0%). The program was associated with statistically significant improvements in the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression scores (baseline [mean±standard error of mean], 8.44±0.55 vs 6.77±0.51 after program completion; P=.0001) and Perceived Stress Scale scores (baseline, 15.2±0.74 vs 14.0±0.71; P=.035). Participants exposed to stressors including food insecurity and experiences of discrimination had higher baseline depression, stress, and anxiety scores. Those with experiences of discrimination, food insecurity, and SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy were more likely to have improvements in mental health scores postintervention. In this diverse urban cohort, a novel community-based intervention was associated with improvements in depressive symptoms, perceived stress, and anxiety, particularly among those with social determinants of health.

A pilot randomized controlled trial comparing nutritious meal kits and no-prep meals to improve food security and diet quality among food pantry clients

BackgroundFood pantry clients have high rates of food insecurity and greater risk for and prevalence of diet-related diseases. Many clients face time, resource, and physical constraints that limit their ability to prepare healthy meals using foods typically provided by pantries. We compared two novel approaches to alleviate those barriers and encourage healthier eating: meal kits, which bundle ingredients with a recipe on how to prepare a healthy meal, and nutritious no-prep meals, which can be eaten after thawing or microwaving.MethodsParticipants were adult pantry clients from a large food pantry in the Southern sector of Dallas, Texas. We conducted a repeated measures between-subjects study with 70 clients randomized to receive 14-days of meal kits (n = 35) or no-prep meals (n = 35). Participants completed questionnaires at baseline and two-week follow-up on demographics, hedonic liking of study meals, perceived dietary quality, and food security. Two-way repeated measures analysis of variance was used to examine group and time effects, and group by time interactions. We also describe feasibility and satisfaction outcomes to inform future implementation.ResultsSixty-six participants completed the study (94%). Participants were predominantly Hispanic or Latino(a) (63%) and African American or Black (31%) women (90%). There was a significant interaction on hedonic liking of study meals (ηp²=0.16, F(1,64) = 11.78, p < .001), such that participants that received meal kits had greater improvements in hedonic liking over time than participants in the no-prep group. We observed significant improvements in perceived dietary quality (ηp²=0.36, F(1,64) = 36.38, p < .001) and food security (ηp²=0.36, F(1,64) = 36.38, p < .001) across both groups over time, but no between group differences or significant interactions indicating one intervention was more effective than the other. Program satisfaction was high across both groups, but higher among the meal kit group (ηp²=0.09, F(1,64) = 6.28, p = .015).ConclusionsResults suggest nutritious meal kits and no-prep meals may be desirable nutrition intervention strategies for pantry clients and have potential to increase food security and perceived dietary quality in the short-term. Our findings are limited by a small sample and short follow-up. Future studies should continue to test both interventions, and include longer follow-up, objective measures of dietary quality, and relevant clinical outcomes.Trial registrationThis trial was registered on 25/10/2022 on ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT05593510.

Abstract B059: Food insecurity among Asian Americans: A scoping review and recommendations for policy and practice

Abstract Background: Food insecurity is a critical social determinant of health and is associated with deleterious cancer-related health outcomes. Adults in households with food insecurity are more likely to forgo cancer screenings; they have also been found to have higher risks of cancer. In addition, patients with cancer have high rates of food insecurity. However, little is known about experiences of food insecurity among Asian Americans, including their experiences of food insecurity that are related to cancer prevention or care. We conducted a scoping review on food insecurity and strategies to cope with food insecurity among individuals of Asian origins living in the U.S.   Methods: In 2022, we searched peer-reviewed articles in MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, Scopus, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar. Two authors screened each title and abstract of 900 records and the full text of 48 records. Thirty-five studies were selected and analyzed.   Results: Among the 35 studies included in the review, 9 studies reported disaggregated data by Asian origin group for food insecurity prevalence. We observed great heterogeneity in reported prevalence. For example, food insecurity ranges 8.3%-41.1% for Filipinos, 13.1%-28.2% for Vietnamese, 6.6%-22.2% for Koreans, and 2.3%-11.2% for Japanese. Only eight studies included standardized data collection instruments in Asian languages. Seven studies noted collaboration with community partners. Lower acculturation, limited English proficiency, and higher social isolation were significantly associated with food insecurity. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits were seen as inadequate to remediate food insecurity. Barriers to nutrition assistance program participation involved negative experiences with social workers, burdensome application process, and confusion surrounding the program. Notably, no study focuses on how food insecurity influences cancer prevention or cancer treatment among Asian Americans.   Discussion: Our review found heterogenous food insecurity prevalence among Asian origin groups. We underscored a need for further research using disaggregated data by Asian origin group, employing multilingual data collection strategies, and involving community partners. Researchers should consider how social contexts and acculturation influences food insecurity. More research is needed on food insecurity as it relates to cancer prevention, screening, or management among Asian Americans. Future studies should investigate policy and interventions to ameliorate food insecurity and encourage nutrition program participation among Asian Americans living with food insecurity. Citation Format: Victoria Huynh, Nhat-Ha Pham, Suji Ro, Q. Eileen Wafford, Milkie Vu. Food insecurity among Asian Americans: A scoping review and recommendations for policy and practice [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 16th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2023 Sep 29-Oct 2;Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023;32(12 Suppl):Abstract nr B059.

Food, housing, and transportation insecurities among cancer survivors with concomitant caregiving roles.

476 Background: Cancer survivors (CSs) encounter significant challenges related to housing insecurity, food insecurity, and transportation, which are critical Social Determinants of Health (SDoH). As CSs’ life expectancy continues to rise, they start or resume caregiving roles, i.e., becoming dual-role CSs. Our prior study has shown that dual-role CSs experience a lower well-being status compared to their counterparts. However, it remains unknown whether the dual-role CS population faces additional social barriers. Methods: Adult CSs were obtained from the nationally representative cross-sectional database - the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) 6 (March to November 2022). SDoH includes food insecurity, housing insecurities and transportation barriers. Self-reported comfort level when patients sharing their social barriers with health care providers was assessed. Chi-square tests were used to compare the weighted prevalence and logistic regression models were used to calculate adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) comparing dual-role vs non-caregiver CSs. All calculations were weighted using SAS 9.4, with a significant level of p &lt; 0.05. Results: Among the 18,386,583 weighted CSs, 20.5% of them were dual-role CSs. Dual-role CSs reported higher rates of food insecurity, housing insecurity, transportation barriers, or at least one of these challenges, compared to non-caregiver peers (p &lt; 0.05). After controlling for confounders (Table), dual-role CSs were 7.5, 6.0, 4.8 and 6.9 times more likely to report food, housing, transportation, and any of the above barriers than their non-caregiver peers, respectively. However, there was no significant difference in their comfort level in sharing these social challenges with healthcare providers after adjusting for confounders. Conclusions: Our findings shed light on the profound social challenges faced by dual-role cancer survivors. The fact that nearly half of these individuals report experiencing at least one barrier underscores the significant unmet social needs within this population. Our results strongly advocate for proactive measures, including active initiation and comprehensive assessments of social needs, to effectively support dual-role cancer survivors.[Table: see text]

The Center for Indigenous Innovation and Health Equity: The Osage Nation's Mobile Market.

Over the last decade, the Osage Nation has actively worked to build Tribal food sovereignty within the reservation where rates of chronic disease and food insecurity are higher than the United States general population. In 2013, the Nation repurposed land toward the development of a Tribal farm with the aim of providing healthy foods to Osage citizens. Produce from the farm is distributed to elders groups, at Tribal Head Starts and schools, and to support the tribal food distribution program. These efforts have led to improved vegetable intake among Osage children, contributing to improved food security, but there is concern that tribal members who live in more remote areas of the Nation or have transportation or mobility issues are not able to access farm production. In partnership with the Center for Indigenous Health Equity (CIIHE), Osage Nation engaged in a community-based participatory research study to assess reservation areas with the greatest barriers to healthy foods and to identify community priorities for intervention. Guided by the principles of food sovereignty, which assert that intervention efforts must address the underlying structural issues of inequality, Osage has designed a mobile market initiative to expand the reach of the Harvest Land farm and deliver healthy, tribally produced meats, herbs, and fresh vegetables to areas with the highest rates of food insecurity. We describe the participatory research efforts and evaluation strategies that center Osage priorities for food security and food sovereignty.

Enhancing Indigenous Food Sovereignty and Community Health Through the Karuk Agroecosystem Resilience Initiative: We Are Caring for It: xúus nu'éethti.

Indigenous communities in the United States experience some of the highest rates of food insecurity and diet-related diseases despite an abundance of food assistance programs and other public health interventions. New approaches that center Indigenous perspectives and solutions are emerging and urgently needed to better understand and address these challenges. This Practice Note shares lessons learned from ongoing collaboration between the Karuk Tribe and University of California, Berkeley researchers and other partners to assess and enhance food sovereignty among Tribes and Tribal communities in the Klamath River Basin. Through two participatory research and extension projects, we demonstrate the importance of centering Indigenous knowledge to strengthen research findings and identify more culturally appropriate solutions to community identified food access, health, and ecosystem challenges. Key findings suggest that approaches to food sovereignty and community health must emanate from the community, be approached holistically, reflect community values and priorities, and center Indigenous land stewardship.