News Release

Food insecurity and hospital visits -- is there a link?

Peer-Reviewed Publication

Mary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News

<I>Population Health Management</I>

image: Population Health Management is an authoritative peer-reviewed journal published bimonthly in print and online that reflects the expanding scope of health care management and quality. The journal delivers a comprehensive, integrated approach to the field of population health and provides information designed to improve the systems and policies that affect health care quality, access, and outcomes. Comprised of peer-reviewed original research papers, clinical research, and case studies, the content encompasses a broad range of chronic diseases (such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic pain, diabetes, depression, and obesity) in addition to focusing on various aspects of prevention and wellness. Tables of contents and a sample issue may be viewed on the Population Health Management website. Population Health Management is the official journal of the Population Health Alliance. view more 

Credit: ©Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers

New Rochelle, NY, March 29, 2016-More than half of patients with high hospitalization rates (at least 3 inpatient visits in a 12-month period) used food pantries or other community food resources, and 40% were worried that they would run out of food, according to the results of a study published in Population Health Management, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers. The article is available free on the Population Health Management website until April 29, 2016.

The article "Food Insecurity in Patients with High Hospital Utilization" reports that 30% of hospital "super-utilizers" are food insecure and another 25% are only marginally food secure according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's definition of food insecurity. Etienne Phipps, PhD and coauthors from Einstein Healthcare Network and Treatment Research Institute (Philadelphia, PA) and International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (Lawrenceville, NJ) also found that among the super-utilizers, most of whom were hospitalized 5 or more times in 12 months, 75% were unable to shop for food on their own and 58% were unable to prepare their own food.

"Food insecurity has a significant impact on health outcomes, particularly for people with conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and renal disease. This study offers important insights for healthcare providers who are working to help vulnerable populations avoid hospitalizations," says Editor-in-Chief David B. Nash, MD, MBA, Dean and Dr. Raymond C. and Doris N. Grandon Professor, Jefferson College of Population Health, Philadelphia, PA.

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About the Journal

Population Health Management is an authoritative peer-reviewed journal published bimonthly in print and online that reflects the expanding scope of health care management and quality. The Journal delivers a comprehensive, integrated approach to the field of population health and provides information designed to improve the systems and policies that affect health care quality, access, and outcomes. Comprised of peer-reviewed original research papers, clinical research, and case studies, the content encompasses a broad range of chronic diseases (such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic pain, diabetes, depression, and obesity) in addition to focusing on various aspects of prevention and wellness. Tables of Contents and a sample issue may be viewed on the Population Health Management website. Population Health Management is the official journal of the Population Health Alliance.

About the Publisher

Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers is a privately held, fully integrated media company known for establishing authoritative peer-reviewed journals in many promising areas of science and biomedical research, including Healthcare Transformation, Journal of Women's Health, LGBT Health, and Telemedicine and e-Health. Its biotechnology trade magazine, GEN (Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News), was the first in its field and is today the industry's most widely read publication worldwide. A complete list of the firm's 80 journals, books, and newsmagazines is available on the Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers website.


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