Hunger in the Hospital: Assessing Inpatient Caregiver Food Insecurity and a Program to Address It

J Health Care Poor Underserved. 2024;35(4S):203-217. doi: 10.1353/hpu.2024.a942878.

Abstract

Existing literature reveals poor access to affordable, nutritious food in hospitals. Ronald McDonald House Charities Bay Area runs a meal program to address in-hospital caregiver food insecurity, but the program has not been studied. We assessed how the meal program is affecting caregivers and opportunities to improve the program.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Caregivers* / psychology
  • Caregivers* / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Food Insecurity*
  • Food Service, Hospital
  • Humans
  • Hunger*
  • Inpatients / psychology
  • Inpatients / statistics & numerical data
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Program Evaluation