Healthcare
GLP-1 medications in hospitalized patients
Small factors, huge impact
Everything in a person’s life plays a role in their health — where they were born, work, or live; their age; access to healthcare; etc.1 Sodexo Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) address food insecurity and health equity by enabling healthier communities. This is one of the many benefits of the Clinicia™ program that serves as the foundation of Sodexo’s Clinical Nutrition Services.
47 million
People lived in households uncertain of having or unable to acquire enough food to meet their needs in 2023. 2
7.2 million
Children lived in households that were impacted by food insecurity in 2023.2
13.5 million
People in the United States alone lack access to nutritious affordable food from large grocery stores.3
Impact of food insecurity
Food insecurity and lack of access to affordable healthy food are persistent problems. Certain populations are disproportionately affected, including low-income, Black and Hispanic households, and homes with young children or those headed by a single adult.2
The experience of hunger, particularly if prolonged or repeated, has negative health consequences. Food insecurity has been found to be associated with a range of chronic illnesses including cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, and diabetes.3 The problem involves not only amounts, but types of food available. Often the scarcity of fresh food options is replaced with highly processed, convenience, and fast foods which may contribute to chronic disease.3
There has been a large gap in understanding the link between food insecurity and chronic disease.3 However, interventions that are community-based and/or connected to health care settings have been shown to improve health outcomes, reduce disparities, and address overall food insecurity.3
Arnot Health
An excellent example of outreach nutrition care is the “Meals While You Heal” program by Arnot Health in Elmira, New York. This Sodexo-coordinated service distributes frozen entrees to patients undergoing cancer treatment. The meals are delivered to the cancer center by the local Meals on Wheels and distributed to patients when they are in for treatment. In the past year, Arnot has provided over 2600 meals to patients.
Rush Copely Medical Center
At Rush Copely Medical Center in Aurora, Illinois, Sodexo RDNs enhance patients’ home meals with food assistance and teaching kitchens. This program teaches cancer patients in the community how to better prepare cost effective and healthful meals for recovery. Rush Copely also distributes pantry bags throughout the hospital including pediatrician’s offices, the emergency department, and the diabetes center.
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