Observational studyThe western journal of emergency medicine2025
Feasibility of an Emergency Department-based Food Insecurity Screening and Referral Program.
Observational study in The western journal of emergency medicine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- A Missed Meal, A Missed Diagnosis: Why Emergency Departments Must Lead on Food Insecurity Screening.The western journal of emergency medicine · 2025Article
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Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
introductionFood insecurity (FI) remains a pervasive issue in the United States, affecting over 12.8% of households. Marginalized populations, particularly those in urban areas, are disproportionately impacted. The emergency department (ED) holds potential as a vital outreach hub, given its diverse patient population and extensive service coverage. In this study we explore the feasibility of implementing an ED-based FI screening and referral program at an urban, academic teaching hospital. We aimed to assess the prevalence of FI among ED patients and evaluate the feasibility of a three- and six-week follow-up to assess patients' FI and related barriers to resource referral utilization.
methodsThis single-center, observational study was conducted at an urban, academic ED from 2018-2024. Initial FI screening was performed using a validated two-question survey adapted from the Hunger Vital Sign screening tool. Participants who screened positive were enrolled and completed the 10-item US Department of Agriculture Adult Food Security survey, received a food assistance guide, and were followed up at three- and six-week intervals to assess changes in FI status.
resultsAmong 6,339 participants, 1,069 (16.9%) experienced FI, with the highest rates among Black non-Hispanic (24.7%) and Spanish-speaking participants (28.7%). Of the 1,069 participants who screened positive for FI, 630 (59.0%) were enrolled in the study. Of the enrolled participants, 161 (25.6%) completed the three-week follow-up phone calls, and 48 (7.6%) completed the six-week follow-up. The mean FI score for these 48 participants decreased from 6.67 (SD 2.68) at enrollment to 4.75 (SD 2.85) at the three-week follow-up (P < 0.001), and to 4.25 (SD 3.48) by the six-week follow-up (P < 0.001). Barriers to using the food resource guide, such as time constraints, transportation, and misplacement of resources, limited many participants' engagement.
conclusionThis study demonstrated the feasibility and effectiveness of an ED-based food insecurity screening and resource referral program, associated with a significant reduction in food insecurity scores among participants. However, barriers such as time constraints, transportation issues, and misplacement of referral materials limited engagement. Addressing these barriers through tailored follow-up and systematic support systems, including universal screening during ED intake and personalized assistance, can enhance the program's accessibility and impact.
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