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Assessment of Food Access and Availability, Hunger, and Nutrition among the Homeless in Rhode Island. Thaneth Ban, Lady Carmona, Nahomie Delille, and Laywell Tedoe Undergraduate Nursing Students University of Rhode Island. Goals and Objectives.
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Assessment of Food Access and Availability, Hunger, and Nutrition among the Homeless in Rhode Island Thaneth Ban, Lady Carmona, Nahomie Delille, and Laywell Tedoe Undergraduate Nursing Students University of Rhode Island
Goals and Objectives • Work in collaboration with community organizations such as Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless and Crossroads Rhode Island • Increase understanding of economic and cultural barriers to health • Increase knowledge of population without homes in RI • Assess this population to determine food, hunger and nutrition issues • Increase awareness of the impact of homelessness on health
Survey • Consent form – informed consent • Survey in four parts • Demographic • Case Management/Social Assistance • Biophysical Data • Nutritional Diary
Setting • Crossroads Rhode Island • Women’s Shelter • Crossroads Rhode Island Family Shelter • Community Health Clinic
Sample • 33 people • 13 men, 20 women • Age from 19-67, average 35 • Education • 24% (8) less than high school • 45% (15) high school or GED • 9% (3) some trade school • 18% (6) some college • 0% (0) college completed or post graduate college • 3% (1) no answer
Sample cont • Race • 36% (12) Caucasian • 21% (7) African-American • 21% (7) Latino • 15% (5) Multiracial • 0% (0) Asian/ Pacific Islander/ American Indian/ Alaska Native • 6% (2) No answer
Description of Population • Unemployment • Mental Illness • depression • Substance Abuse • Domestic Violence • Chronic Illness • Physical Disabilities
38% of people were in the normal range 64% of people were in the overweight range
Other findings • General lack of knowledge of available resources • 24% had less than high school education • 1 in 10 had never applied for food stamps • 2 in 5 were not receiving food stamps • Lack of knowledge of general programs
Recommendations for Change • Availability of Information • People that are homeless • Social Service Workers • Education • Jobs • Housing
Food Programs • Healthy choices • Healthy donations • Changes in food stamp policy • Change qualifications • Allow people to purchase prepared hot foods
RI AHEC support allowed us to… • Learn in an urban underserved community • Work one on one with individuals and families who are homeless • Work with ethnically and culturally diverse population • Increase our knowledge of the economically disadvantaged