Food Insecurity Impacts Our Communities
We welcomed Jeff Sanders, President of Maine Medical Center, on July 23 who shared Maine Med’s new program focused on food insecurity. Jeff explained that every three years MaineHealth goes through a reflective program called the “Community Health Needs Assessment,” looking at the most important factors that impact community health. With no shortage of topics, MaineHealth chose to focus on food insecurity.
Food insecurity is the lack of consistent access to food that activates a healthy life. In the eyes of MaineHealth, this means ensuring that our community has consistent access to food that supports health and improves disease outcomes. This is all part of their vision that offers continuity of care, and builds on existing programs such as MedAccess and the Patient Assistance Line to significantly help in achieving those over-arching goals.
Sanders said many community partners share this vision, including Good Shepherd, Preble Street, the Wayside Food Programs, the United Way of Greater Portland, and organizations like our Rotary club.
Food insecurity advances chronic disease and health complications, hospitalization rates and healthcare costs. At the outset, birth weights are lower, and birth defects rise. Children do poorer in school due to cognitive delays and missed school. Mental health issues rise. There are struggles with obesity, anemia, colds. Obesity may seem counter-intuitive, Sanders said, but many with limited resources or budgets, purchase the least healthy food. This correlates to the diseases that affect adults - diabetes, obesity, heart and kidney diseases, hypertension, osteoporosis, asthma, COPD, as well as depression and anxiety.
In Maine, 13.6% of households are food insecure, affecting 1 in 5 children. Maine ranks 12th in the country for food insecurity. About 15% of adult Mainers are considered in poor health. Over 60% of the state's food insecurity population is in Cumberland and York counties, but Oxford has the highest percentage (13.6%).
In 2018, MaineHealth began surveying patients, particularly ones who came in contact with their pediatric care units, using a program called the Hunger Vital Signs™. Questions such as, “In the past 12 months were you ever worried that your food would run out before you got money to buy more food?” Or, “Over the past 12 months, did you ever run out of the food you bought, and then not have enough money to buy more?” Anyone answering “Often” or “Sometimes” are considered to be in a situation of food insecurity.
These individuals or families area connected to resources that can provide relief. This includes emergency food bags that provide 2-3 days of meals, primarily through food pantries such as the Good Shepherd Food Bank. Since 2018, over 22,000 healthy meals have been distributed in Cumberland County. In addition, clients are directed to two government programs, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and WIC (Women Infants Children). Some cases are referred to social workers for follow through and monitoring. MaineHealth instituted a toll-free Patient Assistance Line to help with advice on health coverage, accessing affordable medications, finding transportation, and other services.
Another new measure are Hospital-Based Food Pantries located near health facilities. Healthy food is purchased at a discount thru Good Shepherd, and provided free through “Mainers Feeding Mainers,” without income eligibilities or restrictions, and families receive enough food to last a week. The process maintains a confidential and welcoming experience for everyone who utilizes the service. The first site was in Farmington, another is planned for Norway, and a third is scheduled to open in Portland near Maine Med.
It may seem simple to many of us as to how to buy, make, and prepare healthy meals, but for many it is a real hurdle. To improve this situation, MaineHealth is working on programs that teach these skills, such as the “Cooking Matters” program. Preparing the right kind of nutritional meals helps reduce medical issues, such as diabetes.
Roger Fagan asked if there is a relationship between substance abuse and food insecurity. Jeff was intrigued with the question, but said that without any data, he did not want to venture a guess.
David Small asked Jeff to comment on how Biden’s program of $300 or more for each child, with the claim that it will cut poverty in half, would assist the food insecurity issue. Jeff said he would be speculating, noting the estimates are as David suggested. He noted that here in Maine there has been more talk about providing food to children in school. Jeff said that providing food in school removes the stigma and provides all kids with one good meal a day. He thought if it moves forward it would have a strong impact in our state.
Bowen Depke pointed to the dilemma of economic decisions and food choices, e.g., milk is more expensive than soda. People make choices with the disposable income they have. Has MaineHealth studied the issue from that point of view? Jeff agreed it is not clear cut, people do make choices. As an example, entry level workers at MaineHealth will be seeing an increase of an average of $6000 per year in their pay, providing more purchasing power. How they choose to use that cannot be controlled. Hopefully they will make the right choices as the organization has been talking about.
Sara Yeransian asked if there was a partnership with the Dempsey Center where cancer patients are taught nutrition and cooking techniques to help their recovery process. Jeff said MaineHealth does work with them, and they are a great resource and partner.
Jan Chapman commented that next week the College of the Atlantic is having their summer institute, all about food, food policy, food insecurity among the topics. Free and online. Jeff was pleased to note that this truly is a community effort.
For more information on MaineHealth, visit their website.
