Table 1.
Addressing food insecurity for people with diabetes: recommended approaches and resources
| Setting | Selected screening approaches and resources |
|---|---|
| Individual care provider | Incorporate hunger vital sign into social history and refer, as needed, and arrange follow-up assessment. Webinar: https://professional.diabetes.org/content-page/diabetes-and-food-insecurity-resources-what-who-when-where-and-how ADA listing of local resources by zip code: https://diabetes.org/healthy-living/recipes-nutrition/food-insecurity-diabetes Feeding American national network with local food pantry links: https://hungerandhealth.feedingamerica.org/explore-our-work/community-health-care-partnerships/addressing-food-insecurity-in-health-care-settings/ |
| Solo or multidisciplinary team independent practice | From above + potential “clinical champion” to lead potential evaluation (number screened; positive screening with referrals and referral follow-up): https://cvquality.acc.org/docs/default-source/public-reporting-toolkit/data-quality-checklist/3c-characteristics-of-clinical-champions-92314.pdf |
| Hospital-based or ambulatory care network practice | From above + network: https://www.networkforphl.org/resources/additional-food-security-resources/ |
| Health system | From above + community engagement via Community Health Needs Assessment and Service Plan: https://foodcommunitybenefit.noharm.org/resources/community-health-needs-assessment/engaging-community-understand-food-needs |
| Food security advocacy recommendations with resource links |
|---|
| Availability. National or regional food supply with emphasis on food production determinants considering factors that may adversely affect the sustainability of the ecosystem. In the U.S., the Farm Bill serves as a major food availability policy determinant (20). |
| Resources |
| • U.S. Department of Agriculture programming increases production of wholesome nutritious foods grown by sustainable methods: https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/programs/about-efnep/efnep-where-you-live-partner-websites |
| • Reauthorizing 2018 Farm Bill for 2023–2028: https://frac.org/blog/on-the-road-to-the-2023-farm-bill |
| • Federal commodity funding for corn sweetener: https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/sugar-and-sweeteners-yearbook-tables/ |
| Access. State and local policies (taxes, innovative distribution methods) can increase access to and price of healthy and unhealthy foods. Governmental and community service organizations provide a wide range of services to provide access to healthy foods. |
| Resources |
| • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps: https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program |
| • Home delivery of food boxes to food insecure people with diabetes: https://www.hungercare.org/food-box |
| • Connecting to local food banks via the national network (Call 311) (21): https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank |
| • Community Supported Agriculture Farm Share: https://www.ams.usda.gov/local-food-directories/csas |
| • ADA-listed resources by zip code: https://diabetes.org/healthy-living/recipes-nutrition/food-insecurity-diabetes |
| Utilization. Food selection, preparation, distribution, and consumption by and within households. |
| Resources |
| • Diabetes medical nutrition therapy: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/dsmes-toolkit/reimbursement/medical-nutrition-therapy.html |
| • U.S. Department of Agriculture–sponsored educational programs for people with food insecurity and diabetes: https://www.ars.usda.gov/docs/educational-resources/ |
| • Culinary medicine to integrate food preparation into therapeutic goal setting: https://culinarymedicine.org/certified-culinary-medicine-specialist-program/culinary-medicine/culinary-medicine-continuing-education-training-certification/ |
| Stability. Food security could become stabile globally or for large geographic regions when availability is assured (food production is adequate for global or large region needs), access is assured (food is available where it is needed), and utilization is assured (food intake of population aligns with nutritional needs). Metrics for tracking progress related to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. |
| Resource |
| • https://www.fao.org/sustainable-development-goals/tracking-progress/en/ |