Patient Perspectives on the Role of Healthcare Providers in Addressing Food Insecurity in a NJ Primary Care Setting

Background: Food insecurity is a critical social determinant of health, yet is rarely discussed with patients in primary care settings. The objective of this project is to explore patient perspectives on the physician role in addressing food insecurity as well as to identify factors associated with food insecurity among patients in family medicine clinics. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was distributed to patients (n=250) across two academic family medicine clinics in South New Jersey between May 2023 and December 2024. Demographics, self-reported health status, and comfort with discussing food insecurity were collected. Additionally, food insecurity status was determined based on the standard 2 question screen, the Hunger Vital Screen. Results were analyzed through ANOVA and probit regression. Results: 17.2% of all respondents (n=43) were identified as food insecure. Despite 83% of respondents (n=186) feeling ‘very comfortable’ or ‘somewhat comfortable’ discussing food insecurity with their PCP, only 3 had ever done so. Interestingly, only 10.5% of respondents who felt it was ‘very important’ to discuss food insecurity with their PCP were themselves food insecure, compared to 89.5% who were food secure. Conclusion: While most respondents support family physicians addressing food insecurity, discussions around the topic remain limited, especially among those most impacted. These findings highlight a disconnect between patient openness and physician engagement, underscoring the need for more systematic screening and clearer physician roles.