Emergency Department Food Insecurity Screening, Food Voucher Distribution and Utilization: A Prospective Cohort Study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Food insecurity is a prevalent social risk among emergency department (ED) patients. Patients who may benefit from food insecurity resources may be identified via ED-based screening; however, many patients experience difficulty accessing resources after discharge. Co-locating resources in or near the ED may improve utilization by patients, but this approach remains largely unstudied. This study characterized the acceptance and use of a food voucher redeemable at a hospital food market for patients who screened positive for food insecurity during their ED visit.

Methods

This prospective cohort study, conducted at a single county-funded ED, included consecutive adult patients who presented on weekdays between 8 AM-8 PM from July-October 2022 and consented to research

SUBMITTER: Ulintz AJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11610723 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature