Renowned experts Dr. Ilene Claudius and Dr. Danica Liberman discuss food insecurity's impact on children's health. They explore social determinants of health in the ER, validated screeners like SEEK, and programs at CHLA and Nationwide Children's Hospital to address food insecurity. The podcast also covers a pilot study on social needs screening in pediatric emergency care.
Food insecurity is closely linked to poverty, affecting 17% of children in the US.
Physicians should address social determinants of health like food insecurity, leading to improved health outcomes.
Deep dives
Prevalence of Poverty and Food Insecurity in Children
Approximately 16% of children in the US live in poverty, with numbers increasing in California and Los Angeles County. Data shows a close link between poverty and food insecurity, with about 17% of children in the US living in households with food insecurity.
Approaching Discussions on Social Determinants of Health
Physicians are encouraged to engage in discussions surrounding social determinants of health, emphasizing the importance of addressing issues like food insecurity, housing instability, and access to healthcare. Implementation of validated screens like SEEK and WeCare aids in identifying social needs, leading to improved health outcomes for families.
Impact of Linking Families to Social Services
Studies demonstrate that linking families to social services not only provides social benefits but also potential health benefits. For instance, a study by Alvin Garg revealed that families enrolled in community services experienced positive outcomes such as increased employment, childcare enrollment, and reduced odds of living in a homeless shelter.
The emDOCs.net team is very happy to collaborate with PECARN STELAR (Seattle, Dallas/Texas, and Los Angeles) Node and the Emergency Medical Services for Children Innovation and Improvement Center (EIIC) in presenting high-yield pediatric topics that highlight evidence based medicine with solid research.
Today on we have our two renowned experts, Dr. Ilene Claudius and Dr. Danica Liberman, discussing the case for food insecurity and how it impacts the health of our children.
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