Title of Research
Start Date
18-8-2017 10:00 AM
End Date
18-8-2017 11:30 AM
Abstract
FOOD INSECURITY AND ITS IMPACT ON HEALTH STATUS AMONG HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS:
AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW
Jacqueline Munyasya
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Shannon Simonovich
Background: Food insecurity is a serious problem in the United States and the number of people affected by food insecurity in the United States has risen dramatically in recent years. The homeless population is disproportionately affected. The combination of homelessness and food insecurity is a problem has the combined effect that is extremely costly to the public and the overall health of the population. As nurses, we will encounter these populations and treat them in both community and acute care settings. A stronger understanding of their experience of food insecurity and their ongoing nutritional status would be helpful in identifying appropriate nursing interventions and priorities.
Objective: The purpose of this study is to describe food insecurity levels and nutritional status of homeless populations and implications of food insecurity on the health outcomes of this population.
Methods: Articles were found using Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL) Complete, PubMed, SAGE and ProQuest Nursing & Allied Health Source. Search words various combinations which included “food insecurity”,” “homelessness,” “health”, “nutritional status”, “nutrition”, “poverty”, “healthcare”, “heath outcomes”, “barriers”, “public health” and “United States”. Specific author’s names were also search for articles on similar topics. The articles were then analyzed and themes were determined based on the content of the articles.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that food insecurity and homeless populations is a serious public health problem. Two main themes were identified in the literature review – financial issues and inaccessibility to proper kitchen facilities and tendencies to postpone treatment and negative perception of the health care system which result in high level of diseases, frequent hospitalization and utilization of emergency rooms, progress of certain types of diseases and higher level of mortality and barriers in access to health care. Food insecurity implies numerous health complications and homeless individuals experience numerous challenges and obstacles in regards to getting healthy and sufficient amount of food, which causes further health issues. As a result, homeless persons use emergency care more often than preventive medical care, and their serious and chronic diseases are more difficult to manage and treat. Nurses should learn about this population's unique needs are in a pivotal position to improve healthcare for this population.
Included in
Community Health and Preventive Medicine Commons, Public Health and Community Nursing Commons
Food Insecurity and Its Impact on Health Status Among Homeless Individuals: An Integrative Literature Review
FOOD INSECURITY AND ITS IMPACT ON HEALTH STATUS AMONG HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS:
AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW
Jacqueline Munyasya
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Shannon Simonovich
Background: Food insecurity is a serious problem in the United States and the number of people affected by food insecurity in the United States has risen dramatically in recent years. The homeless population is disproportionately affected. The combination of homelessness and food insecurity is a problem has the combined effect that is extremely costly to the public and the overall health of the population. As nurses, we will encounter these populations and treat them in both community and acute care settings. A stronger understanding of their experience of food insecurity and their ongoing nutritional status would be helpful in identifying appropriate nursing interventions and priorities.
Objective: The purpose of this study is to describe food insecurity levels and nutritional status of homeless populations and implications of food insecurity on the health outcomes of this population.
Methods: Articles were found using Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL) Complete, PubMed, SAGE and ProQuest Nursing & Allied Health Source. Search words various combinations which included “food insecurity”,” “homelessness,” “health”, “nutritional status”, “nutrition”, “poverty”, “healthcare”, “heath outcomes”, “barriers”, “public health” and “United States”. Specific author’s names were also search for articles on similar topics. The articles were then analyzed and themes were determined based on the content of the articles.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that food insecurity and homeless populations is a serious public health problem. Two main themes were identified in the literature review – financial issues and inaccessibility to proper kitchen facilities and tendencies to postpone treatment and negative perception of the health care system which result in high level of diseases, frequent hospitalization and utilization of emergency rooms, progress of certain types of diseases and higher level of mortality and barriers in access to health care. Food insecurity implies numerous health complications and homeless individuals experience numerous challenges and obstacles in regards to getting healthy and sufficient amount of food, which causes further health issues. As a result, homeless persons use emergency care more often than preventive medical care, and their serious and chronic diseases are more difficult to manage and treat. Nurses should learn about this population's unique needs are in a pivotal position to improve healthcare for this population.