Nutrition security in southern Illinois
Promoting growth through healthy eating
Through the partnership with the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (ICAAP) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), SIU Medicine will screen families who are food insecure. SIU Medicine hopes to improve food insecurity screening and family connections to food resources in the state of Illinois. Participants will work with their pediatrician, state food delivery services and other family support partners in the state.
Food insecurity
The state capital is one of the most at-risk places for food insecurity in southern Illinois and SIU Medicine is here to help. Food insecurity is the limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods, or the limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways. According to the USDA, up to 10.2 percent of U.S. households and 12.5 percent of households with children have limited or uncertain access to nutritionally healthy food.
In households with low food security, the hardships experienced are primarily reductions in dietary quality and variety. In households with very low food security, the hardships experienced are reduced food intake and skipped meals.
How we can help
- Help overcome the stigma of food insecurity
- Tailor care for patient needs
- Work closely with the vulnerable populations
- Help reduce the prevalence of food insecurity and its effects on the community
- Potentially reduce health care costs by reducing preventable emergency department and provider visits
- Provide formal training and presentations to residents and physicians
- Work with all clinics and social workers to train and teach staff
- Screen families using hunger vital signs
Resources
Food pantry
The University of Illinois Extension office and SIU Pediatrics are working together to open a pediatric food pantry. Check back for more information on an opening date and how families in need can access this resource.
Programs
Food is medicine
Our providers believe that food is medicine. Nutrition is an integral part of helping people of all ages flourish and prevent diseases that threaten all of us.
Food is medicine is the belief that one should not have to face a dual crisis of illness and hunger. Without proper access to the needs of each person and taking into account their illness, allergies, medications and personal needs, providers will fail to create health in our community. By making nutrition a central part of health care doctors will be able to provide better health outcomes, lower the cost of care and improve patient satisfaction.
Patients we've helped
SIU Medicine's nutrition initiative has helped several families with food insecurity. Including, a parent of a child with hyperlipidemia who was struggling to lose weight because of the cost of food.
A single mother came to us after she couldn't afford her child's cardiac medicine and food for her four children under the age of five. "I wasn't sure if he would be OK without the medicine for few days since I needed to feed his siblings."
Another patient of child with a heart condition ran out of money for his child's formula, so they came to SIU Medicine for assistance.
Sponsors
Childhood Nutrition Security Project Partners
Government Agency
Chicago Department of Public Health
Chicago Public Schools
Cook County Health
Illinois Department of Human Services
Illinois State Board of Education
Southern 7 Health Department
SNAP Education, University of Illinois Extension
Tazewell County Health Department
Public Health
Illinois Public Health Association
Illinois Public Health Institute
Home Visiting / Daycare
Start Early
Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies
Healthcare System
Healthcare System
ACCESS Community Health Network
American Heart Association
Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
Erie Family Health Centers
Esperanza Health Centers
Heartland Health Services
Illinois Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
OSF Healthcare Children’s Hospital of Illinois
PCC Community Wellness Center
Proviso Partners for Health: Veggie Rx
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
UIC Office of Community Engagement and Neighborhood Health Partnership
Local Food Initiative
Chicago Food Policy Action Counsel
Experimental Station
Illinois 4-H Food Security Communities
Peoria Grown
Food Bank / Pantry
Beyond Hunger
Catholic Charities of Archdiocese of Chicago Feeding Illinois
Greater Chicago Food Depository
Marillac St. Vincent Family Services Midwest Food Bank
Northern Illinois Food Bank
FoodFinder
Enter your zip code on the site to find food near you.