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 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 understanding of economic and cultural barriers to health Increase knowledge of population without homes in RI Increase knowledge of population without homes in RI Assess this population to determine food, hunger and nutrition issues Assess this population to determine food, hunger and nutrition issues Increase awareness of the impact of homelessness on health Increase awareness of the impact of homelessness on health

Survey Consent form – informed consent Consent form – informed consent Survey in four parts Survey in four parts Demographic Demographic Case Management/Social Assistance Case Management/Social Assistance Biophysical Data Biophysical Data Nutritional Diary Nutritional Diary

Setting Crossroads Rhode Island Crossroads Rhode Island Women’s Shelter Women’s Shelter Crossroads Rhode Island Family Shelter Crossroads Rhode Island Family Shelter Community Health Clinic Community Health Clinic

Sample 33 people 33 people 13 men, 20 women 13 men, 20 women Age from 19-67, average 35 Age from 19-67, average 35 Education Education 24% (8) less than high school 24% (8) less than high school 45% (15) high school or GED 45% (15) high school or GED 9% (3) some trade school 9% (3) some trade school 18% (6) some college 18% (6) some college 0% (0) college completed or post graduate college 0% (0) college completed or post graduate college 3% (1) no answer 3% (1) no answer

Sample cont Race Race 36% (12) Caucasian 36% (12) Caucasian 21% (7) African-American 21% (7) African-American 21% (7) Latino 21% (7) Latino 15% (5) Multiracial 15% (5) Multiracial 0% (0) Asian/ Pacific Islander/ American Indian/ Alaska Native 0% (0) Asian/ Pacific Islander/ American Indian/ Alaska Native 6% (2) No answer 6% (2) No answer

Description of Population Unemployment Unemployment Mental Illness Mental Illness depression depression Substance Abuse Substance Abuse Domestic Violence Domestic Violence Chronic Illness Chronic Illness Physical Disabilities 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 General lack of knowledge of available resources 24% had less than high school education 24% had less than high school education 1 in 10 had never applied for food stamps 1 in 10 had never applied for food stamps 2 in 5 were not receiving food stamps 2 in 5 were not receiving food stamps Lack of knowledge of general programs Lack of knowledge of general programs

Recommendations for Change Availability of Information Availability of Information People that are homeless People that are homeless Social Service Workers Social Service Workers Education Education Jobs Jobs Housing Housing

Food Programs Healthy choices Healthy choices Healthy donations Healthy donations Changes in food stamp policy Changes in food stamp policy Change qualifications Change qualifications Allow people to purchase prepared hot foods Allow people to purchase prepared hot foods

RI AHEC support allowed us to… Learn in an urban underserved community Learn in an urban underserved community Work one on one with individuals and families who are homeless Work one on one with individuals and families who are homeless Work with ethnically and culturally diverse population Work with ethnically and culturally diverse population Increase our knowledge of the economically disadvantaged Increase our knowledge of the economically disadvantaged

Thank you to Southern Rhode Island AHEC