Assessment of Food Access Assessment of Food Access and Availability, Hunger, and and Availability, Hunger, and

Nutrition among the Nutrition among the Homeless in Rhode IslandHomeless in Rhode Island

Thaneth Ban, Lady Carmona, Nahomie Thaneth Ban, Lady Carmona, Nahomie Delille, and Laywell TedoeDelille, and Laywell Tedoe

Undergraduate Nursing StudentsUndergraduate Nursing Students

University of Rhode IslandUniversity of Rhode Island

Goals and ObjectivesGoals and Objectives

Work in collaboration with community Work in collaboration with community organizations such as Rhode Island organizations such as Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless and Crossroads Coalition for the Homeless and Crossroads Rhode IslandRhode Island

Increase understanding of economic and Increase understanding of economic and cultural barriers to healthcultural barriers to health

Increase knowledge of population without Increase knowledge of population without homes in RIhomes in RI

Assess this population to determine food, Assess this population to determine food, hunger and nutrition issueshunger and nutrition issues

Increase awareness of the impact of Increase awareness of the impact of homelessness on healthhomelessness on health

SurveySurvey

Consent form – informed consentConsent form – informed consent Survey in four partsSurvey in four parts

DemographicDemographic Case Management/Social AssistanceCase Management/Social Assistance Biophysical DataBiophysical Data Nutritional DiaryNutritional Diary

SettingSetting

Crossroads Rhode IslandCrossroads Rhode Island Women’s ShelterWomen’s Shelter Crossroads Rhode Island Family Crossroads Rhode Island Family

ShelterShelter Community Health ClinicCommunity Health Clinic

SampleSample

33 people33 people 13 men, 20 women13 men, 20 women Age from 19-67, average 35Age from 19-67, average 35 EducationEducation

24% (8) less than high school24% (8) less than high school 45% (15) high school or GED45% (15) high school or GED 9% (3) some trade school9% (3) some trade school 18% (6) some college18% (6) some college 0% (0) college completed or post graduate 0% (0) college completed or post graduate

collegecollege 3% (1) no answer3% (1) no answer

Sample contSample cont

RaceRace 36% (12) Caucasian 36% (12) Caucasian 21% (7) African-American21% (7) African-American 21% (7) Latino21% (7) Latino 15% (5) Multiracial15% (5) Multiracial 0% (0) Asian/ Pacific Islander/ American 0% (0) Asian/ Pacific Islander/ American

Indian/ Alaska NativeIndian/ Alaska Native 6% (2) No answer6% (2) No answer

Description of PopulationDescription of Population

UnemploymentUnemployment Mental IllnessMental Illness

depressiondepression Substance AbuseSubstance Abuse Domestic ViolenceDomestic Violence Chronic IllnessChronic Illness Physical DisabilitiesPhysical Disabilities

Soup Kitchen Use (past month)

37%

6%

6%3%

21%

18%

9%

Never

Once

Twice

Three Times

Weekly

Daily

More Than Once/Day

Shelter Use (past month)

3% 6%

9%

6%

6%

67%

3%

Never

Once

Twice

Three Times

Weekly

Daily

Refused

Food Pantry Use (past month)

64%12%

9%

6%

6% 3%

Never

Once

Twice

Three Times

Weekly

Daily

Hungry in the Last 12 Months

22%

78%

no

yes

East Less Than Should Due to Lack of Money

19%

81%

no

yes

Body Mass Index

0%

38%

24%

14%

7%

17%

underweight

normal

overweight

high obesity

very high obesity

extremely high obesity

38% of people were in the normal range64% of people were in the overweight range

Other findingsOther findings

General lack of knowledge of General lack of knowledge of available resourcesavailable resources 24% had less than high school education24% had less than high school education 1 in 10 had never applied for food 1 in 10 had never applied for food

stampsstamps 2 in 5 were not receiving food stamps2 in 5 were not receiving food stamps Lack of knowledge of general programsLack of knowledge of general programs

Recommendations for Recommendations for ChangeChange

Availability of InformationAvailability of Information People that are homelessPeople that are homeless Social Service WorkersSocial Service Workers

EducationEducation JobsJobs HousingHousing

Food ProgramsFood Programs

Healthy choicesHealthy choices Healthy donationsHealthy donations Changes in food stamp policyChanges in food stamp policy

Change qualificationsChange qualifications Allow people to purchase prepared hot Allow people to purchase prepared hot

foodsfoods

RI AHEC support allowed us RI AHEC support allowed us to…to…

Learn in an urban underserved Learn in an urban underserved communitycommunity

Work one on one with individuals and Work one on one with individuals and families who are homelessfamilies who are homeless

Work with ethnically and culturally Work with ethnically and culturally diverse populationdiverse population

Increase our knowledge of the Increase our knowledge of the economically disadvantagedeconomically disadvantaged

Thank you to Southern Rhode Thank you to Southern Rhode Island AHECIsland AHEC