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Screening and interventions for food insecurity in health care settings state strategies to increase an underutilized practice in California

M. Cannon
California Food Policy Advocates

Despite a growing body of evidence suggesting that food insecurity has significant consequences for the health of low-income Californians, very few hospitals and health clinics in our state are routinely screening for food insecurity. In this paper we examine how food insecurity screening tools can be used to increase the number of referrals to federal nutrition assistance programs such as CalFresh – programs that have the potential to address the scope and scale of challenges associated with poor nutrition across our state. Specifically, we examine how screening for food insecurity is underutilized in California health care settings and discuss how the State can both support expansion of screening for food insecurity and enhance intervention by supporting on­site CalFresh application assistance in health care settings and proactive referrals to the federal nutrition assistance programs. We aim for this paper to serve as an informative guide for administrators, health care affiliates, and advocates at the city, county, and state level. By understanding the potential of screening to increase enrollment into the federal nutrition assistance programs and the barriers to more widespread and effective use, we can all better collaborate to ensure that vulnerable Californians are not missing out on the important food resources they need to maintain good health.

California Food Policy Advocates. Screening and interventions for food insecurity in health care settings: State strategies to increase an underutilized practice in California. Oakland, CA: California Food Policy Advocates; 2016. Available online.

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Publication year
Resource type
Issue Briefs & Reports
Social Determinant of Health
Food/Hunger
Study design
Review