Lack of Follow-Up in a Food-Insecure Population

Literature regarding attendance in elective health programs, like the Geaux Get Healthy Clinical Program at Our Lady of the Lake (OLOL), is scarce. This study aimed to investigate reasons for the non-enrollment of eligible, food-insecure individuals from Baton Rouge in the Geaux Get Healthy Clinical Program at Our Lady of the Lake (OLOL), which is a clinic-based community program addressing food insecurity. A prospective qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured phone interviews with 19 participants screened for food insecurity within the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System (FMOLHS) but who did not enroll in the program. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed thematically. Demographic data were extracted from the Epic database and statistically analyzed. The participants, primarily African-American females, cited a lack of awareness as the main reason for non-enrollment. Other barriers included embarrassment, transportation difficulties, and competing priorities. This study highlights the importance of addressing barriers to participation in community health programs like Geaux Get Healthy. Enhancing awareness and mitigating obstacles can improve program enrollment and ensure better use of resources to positively impact the health outcomes of food-insecure populations.