One in six households experience food insecurity, which means they have limited or uncertain access to nutritionally adequate and safe food. Individuals who are food insecure are two times as likely to suffer from diabetes and are three times as likely to have poor overall health status.

When you consider these realities and the fact that many non-profit hospitals serve food deserts—areas devoid of healthy or nutritious food options—there is a largely untapped opportunity for providers to better serve the community while achieving population health objectives.

Recognizing the link between food insecurity, chronic illness, and poverty, several hospitals have launched innovative programs designed to facilitate patients' access to healthy, affordable food.

This research report provides best practice models for implementing programs to address food insecurity, including details on:

• Patient identification and referral pathways
• Range of services offered
• Common community partners
• Considerations for staffing
• Tactics for patient and staff engagement

Download the report to learn from seven provider organizations that represent a broad range of food insecurity interventions and get 16 action steps for improving patient access to nutrition-reinforced diets.