Headline
Guide offers implementation recommendations for introducing food insecurity screenings in clinical settings, including workflow and staffing considerations.
Background
Food insecurity is an often-used eligibility criterion to connect people to nutrition interventions, as well as other services and programs to address health-related social needs. The Hunger Vital Sign (HVS), originally developed by Children’s HealthWatch, has been validated for accuracy among diverse populations, including families with children, older adults, Black and Hispanic individuals, immigrants, people with disabilities, and low-income households. This tool provides actionable examples of how HVS can be used in clinical settings to screen for food insecurity and connect patients to appropriate resources.
About This Tool
The guide outlines different implementation approaches for food insecurity screening based on when the screening occurs and which staff members administer it. Four specific workflows are detailed:
- Non-clinical staff screening before clinic visits
- Clinical staff screening during visits
- Care coordinators screening during visits
- Non-clinical providers screening post-visit
For each approach, the guide presents detailed workflow diagrams, rationales for using different staff types, and implementation considerations.
Policy/Program Takeaways
Health care providers can look to this tool for practical guidance in designing clinical workflows that incorporate food insecurity screening. By offering multiple implementation models, the guide allows clinical settings to select the approach that best fits their staffing structure, patient population, and resource constraints.