Are your patients hungry? An examination of food insecurity in America

Abstract

Adequate food access is key to the health of individuals; yet, lack of access to food for an active, healthy life—food insecurity—continues in more than 17 million households across the United States, according to the most recent (2008) estimates. This paper examines food insecurity in America, including its negative health outcomes, and it suggests resources for use by osteopathic family physicians to improve food access in patients. Food insecurity is an avoidable, public health threat that can negatively affect patient well-being and outcomes, including physical impairments, psychological issues, and socio-familial disturbances. Osteopathic family physicians can play vital roles in identifying and alleviating food insecurity.