As the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the United States, a number of devastating shortcomings in the healthcare system were brought to light. Particularly, amassing data has revealed the significant impact of socioeconomic factors on patients’ health and wellness. Low income members are particularly vulnerable to food insecurity as a result of socioeconomic influences and financial instability. Food insecurity can be particularly devastating for children, as it can set the stage for a lifetime of health problems such as obesity and diabetes.
In response to the detrimental effects brought on by the pandemic, Humana’s Bold Goal and Florida Medicaid teams collaborated with Buccan Provisions and Share Our Strength on an emergency food relief pilot program in order to support families with young children.
This program also sought to boost the local economy, as support was provided to restaurants and their employees whose jobs were at risk due to the pandemic.
The eight-week pilot consisted of delivering healthy meals to the doorstep of families in need, providing them with adequate nutrition, as well as kid-friendly educational activities designed to encourage children to eat more fruits and vegetables.
The partnership succeeded in its proactive approach to member outreach and relief. Families reported improved food security, increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, and decreased stress levels because of the collaborative effort.