Referrals for Food Assistance at Health Resources and Services Administration Health Centers
Top Things to Know
Referral to food assistance remains uncommon, suggesting substantial opportunities to improve screening, referral workflows, and connection to nutrition support services.
Patients served through specialized programs for people experiencing homelessness and migrant populations were significantly more likely to receive referrals.
As Medicaid 1115 waiver-funded FIM programs expand, health systems may need stronger data-sharing, referral tracking, and community-based organization partnerships to ensure eligible patients successfully connect with services rather than simply receiving referrals.
Summary of Conclusion/Findings
This cross-sectional study analyzed data from the 2022 Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Healthcare Patient Survey, representing approximately 19.6 million patients receiving care at HRSA-funded health centers, to examine referrals to food assistance among patients with food insecurity. Overall, 24.7% of patients reported food insecurity, yet only 6.8% reported ever receiving a referral from their health center to food assistance. Among patients with food insecurity, 38.1% reported receiving neither Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits nor a referral to food assistance, highlighting substantial unmet need. Patients with food insecurity were more likely than food-secure patients to receive referrals (11.1% vs 5.5%), but referrals were not associated with higher diabetes or hypertension self-efficacy, although these analyses were limited by small sample sizes. Care through Health Care for the Homeless and Migrant Health Center programs was associated with greater odds of referral, while no significant disparities were observed by race, ethnicity, language, or rurality. The authors conclude that HRSA health centers could play a larger role in addressing food insecurity by strengthening and standardizing referral systems, particularly as food assistance needs increase.