With this practical guide, those who care for children’s physical and mental health will learn how to identify and address social drivers of health (SDOH), also sometimes referred to as social determinants of health. The expert contributors present evidence-based tools to screen for SDOH, as well as strategies on how to care for children and families affected by different social stressors. This book offers real-world guidance that is easily implemented in a variety of settings. Available for purchase at https://www.aap.org/Social-Drivers-of-Health-Implications-for-Clinical-Practice-Paperback
7: Food Insecurity
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Published:February 2025
Radhika Teli, MD, Michaela Domaratzky, MD, Carol Duh-Leong, MD, MPP, FAAP, "Food Insecurity", Social Drivers of Health: Implications for Clinical Practice, American Academy of Pediatrics, Sandra F. Braganza, MD, MPH, FAAP, Kevin P. Fiori, MD, MPH, MS, FAAP
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Food insecurity is defined as unstable and unreliable access to adequate, nutritious food. In the United States, at least 1 in 7 children experiences food insecurity. Because this critical social determinant of health can have negative implications on child health and development, it is important for pediatric practitioners to screen for, and identify, food insecurity in children and their households by using the Hunger Vital Sign. Food insecurity has been shown to disproportionately affect high-risk groups, including racially marginalized groups and homes headed by a single caregiver. In the clinical setting, food insecurity can present in various ways, including nutrition deficiencies, less optimal child feeding behaviors, poorer mental health and academic outcomes, and higher rates of emergency department use. This chapter also summarizes resources available at the local, state, and national levels to address food insecurity and outlines possible strategies for managing food insecurity in the clinic setting. As we expand our understanding of food insecurity in the pediatric population, recommendations on how to best approach it will continue to evolve.
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