Understanding food insecurity's impact on health in Birmingham

Food insecurity is a growing concern in Alabama, where 23% of adults or children—vs 12% nationally—report struggling to access enough nutritious food. This issue is especially serious for individuals with chronic illnesses like diabetes and cardiovascular disease, since irregular eating schedules and low-nutrient foods can worsen their health.

To address this, a team of researchers spearheaded by Catheryn Orihuela, PhD, is partnering with the UAB Benevolent Fund, who will provide access to the Blazer Kitchen campus food pantry “shoppers,” to better understand how food insecurity impacts health and what barriers prevent people from getting the food they need. While hospital campus food pantries provide immediate food for patients when receiving health care services, there are multiple challenges in securing food resources for patients in clinical settings.

The study will involve 130 adults who use the pantry—100 referred by health care providers and 30 who sought help on their own. Participants will complete surveys and health checks, including blood pressure, diet quality, and emotional well-being. A smaller group of participants with chronic illnesses will also take part in interviews to share their experiences. Additionally, staff from the Blazer Kitchen will be interviewed to explore challenges like food donations, staffing, and connecting patients to resources.

This study aims to uncover how food insecurity affects physical and mental health, especially for those managing chronic conditions. By identifying the biggest obstacles—like lack of nutrition education or difficulties in the referral process—the study hopes to guide improvements in food pantry services and health care support that prevent disease severity, reduce food insecurity, and improve health for those with chronic illness.

Principal Investigator: Catheryn A. Orihuela, PhD