ACCESS TO NUTRITIOUS FOODS

SDOH: ACCESS TO NUTRITIOUS FOODS 

SDOH: ACCESS TO NUTRITIOUS FOODS 

Access to Nutritious Foods 

Consistent access, availability, and affordability of foods and beverages that promote well-being, prevent disease, and, if needed, treat disease.

Access to nutritious foods significantly influences overall well-being and contributes to health disparities within communities. Obtaining nutritious food from a variety of healthy sources is vital for maintaining optimal physical and mental health. Limited access to nutritious foods is associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, malnutrition, and heart disease.

Access to nutritious food is strongly related to someone’s overall health. A lack of fresh and healthy food can lead to poor diets, which increases the rate of obesity and other diet-related diseases like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, etc. (USDA). Every year, 70% of all deaths in the U.S. are due to chronic diseases (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023). Usually, these people do not have money to buy healthy food, or they do not have a grocery store near them. People call these regions food deserts. People living in food deserts turn to fast food, which is high in sodium, leading to high blood pressure, stroke, and eventually, death.

Community Resources 

Connect patients to available resources

Nurses can connect patients to available resources such as food banks, community gardens, and government assistant programs (ie; SNAP, WIC).

What is Framer?

Feeding America

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)

Improve access to nutritious food

Nurses can work with government relations, policymakers, and social workers to improve access to nutritious food by advocating for policies that address food insecurity and participating in community education programs.

Screenings and risk assessment

Helps combat chronic illnesses by making changes to diet

Connect patients to available resources

Nurses can connect patients to available resources such as food banks, community gardens, and government assistant programs (ie; SNAP, WIC).

What is Framer?

Feeding America

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)

Improve access to nutritious food

Nurses can work with government relations, policymakers, and social workers to improve access to nutritious food by advocating for policies that address food insecurity and participating in community education programs.

Screenings and risk assessment

Helps combat chronic illnesses by making changes to diet

Connect patients to available resources

Nurses can connect patients to available resources such as food banks, community gardens, and government assistant programs (ie; SNAP, WIC).

What is Framer?

Feeding America

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)

Improve access to nutritious food

Nurses can work with government relations, policymakers, and social workers to improve access to nutritious food by advocating for policies that address food insecurity and participating in community education programs.

Screenings and risk assessment

Helps combat chronic illnesses by making changes to diet

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, September 10). Access to healthy foods.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Healthy eating tips from the CDC

Feeding America. (n.d.). What is snap and how to apply. Feeding America. https://www.feedingamerica.org/our-work/hunger-relief-programs/snap#:~:text=SNAP%20(Supplemental%20Nutrition%20Assistance%20Program,food%20they%20need%20to%20thrive.

Martin, A. (2023). Food Security and nutrition assistance. USDA ERS - Food Security and Nutrition Assistance. https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/ag-and-food-statistics-charting-the-essentials/food-security-and-nutrition-assistance/#:~:text=In%202022%2C%2012.8%20percent%20of,of%20a%20lack%20of%20resources.

Nemec K. (2020). Cultural Awareness of Eating Patterns in the Health Care Setting. Clinical liver disease, 16(5), 204–207. https://doi.org/10.1002/cld.1019

Key facts: Poverty and poor health: Health poverty action. Health Poverty Action Key Facts Poverty and Poor Health Comments. (n.d.). https://www.healthpovertyaction.org/news-events/key-facts-poverty-and-poor-health/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAsburBhCIARIsAExmsu4JgmTJgGKWTrsn1FZp7ctj_S4ImDc3PeOOBziAneC34iocDyfYqFsaArsAEALw_wcB

OASH. (2020). Access to foods that support healthy dietary patterns. Access to Foods That Support Healthy Dietary Patterns - Healthy People 2030. https://health.gov/healthypeople/priority-areas/social-determinants-health/literature-summaries/access-foods-support-healthy-dietary-patterns#:~:text=Having%20access%20to%20healthy%2C%20safe,achieve%20a%20healthy%20dietary%20pattern.

USDA. (2023). USDA proposes policies to improve food access, healthy choices for low-income Americans. Food and Nutrition Service U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/004516

USDA. (n.d.). Agricultural act of 2014: Highlights and implications. USDA ERS - Agricultural Act of 2014: Highlights and Implications. https://www.ers.usda.gov/agricultural-act-of-2014-highlights-and-implications/

Chriqui JF., Thrun E., Rimkus L., Barker DC., and Chaloupka FJ. (2012). Zoning for healthy food access varies by community income – A BTG Research Brief. Chicago, IL: Bridging the Gap Program, Health Policy Center, Institute for Health Research and Policy, University of Illinois at Chicago. www.bridgingthegapresearch.org.

Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations | USDA-FNS. (2019). Usda.gov.

https://www.fns.usda.gov/fdpir/food-distribution-program-indian-reservations

FoodFinder. (n.d.). Foodfinder.us. https://foodfinder.us/

School Nutrition Association. (2022). School Meal Statistics - School Nutrition Association.

https://Schoolnutrition.org/.

https://schoolnutrition.org/about-school-meals/school-meal-statistics/

USDA. (2018). Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | USDA-FNS. Usda.gov.

https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program

USDA. (2016). Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) | USDA-FNS. Usda.gov. https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Food Accessibility, insecurity and health outcomes. National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities.https://www.nimhd.nih.gov/resources/understanding-health-disparities/food-accessibility-insecurity-and-health-outcomes.html

13 Food Assistance Programs That Support Families in Need. (n.d.). Waterford.org.

https://www.waterford.org/resources/food-assistance-programs-for-families/

ACCESS To NUTRITIOUS FOODS