SESSION TWO
Health and Hunger in My Neighborhood Anitra Ellis, NP, Family Nurse Practitioner, Coalfield Health Center Mark Linville, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Boone Memorial Hospital Courtney Reynolds, PA-C, Chief Operations Officer, Southern West Virginia Health System
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West Virginia remains one of the unhealthiest states in the country. Can we address health inequities when we address hunger? Can we address hunger when individuals access health care? Can we build a two-way street to do both? U.S. News and World Report’s Healthiest Communities Rankings ranks every county in the country. The population health category assesses access to care, healthy behaviors, health conditions, mental health and resulting health outcomes within communities. This year, West Virginia scored a little over 11, out of 100, in the population health category. This is a low score, making us one of the unhealthiest states in the country. Boone County scored a six out of 100. Lincoln County scored a nine out of 100, and Logan County scored less than five out of 100. The work to improve the health of West Virginians in these three counties is an ongoing challenge. Research shows that patient health outcomes are greatly influenced by factors outside of clinical care, known as social determinants of health, including economic hardships like food insecurity. It’s often suggested that medical providers screen for food insecurity, and if the patient identifies as food insecure, refer the patient to the necessary community services. But how does this recommendation translate to the local level, knowing that counties are medically underserved, providers have limited time with patients, and importantly, often do not know where to refer patients if they identify as food insecure? What if there aren’t any community
services? How would the provider know if there are food pantries or other programs that address food insecurity in their communities, when there’s no centralized source of this information available? While these questions are complex and require a multipronged response, panelists agreed that communitybased collaboration is key. Dr. Ellis, for example, volunteers at a food pantry in her community in Logan County. Her organization, Coalfield Health Center, has provided COVID-19 vaccinations at the pantry. Through this partnership, she cultivates vital relationships, and she also has an opportunity to talk to patrons about healthy eating. For her, the collaboration provides an opportunity to easily bridge the two systems. In addition, she finds working in the pantry is a great way to build a rapport with potential patients. It helps her become a trusted face within the community. BUILDING BRIDGES AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL
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