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Healthcare institutions often play an important role in connecting patients and caregivers with needed social supports. Yet low-income caregivers may be wary of food insecurity screening in healthcare settings, citing fear of stigma, privacy breaches, or involvement from child welfare services, according to a recent study by doctoral student Yvette Ng and colleagues. The team found that clinics can improve their screening practices by offering choice in screening options, clear explanations, and follow-through through trusted community partners.
The study used six focus groups with 42 low-income parental caregivers in Southern New Jersey, conducted in English and Spanish. Many participants said screening felt more like a checkbox than a meaningful opportunity for help, and some doubted providers would actually connect them to resources. Spanish-speaking participants reported added barriers from translation problems and unfamiliarity with the term “food insecurity.”
The authors recommend letting caregivers choose how and when to answer screening questions, explaining why the questions are being asked and who can see the information, ensuring practical referrals to resources, and working with trusted community institutions such as schools, churches, and local organizations. They argue that healthcare systems can better support families by building trust and linking screening to community-based communication networks rather than relying on clinic workflows alone.
“Families are more likely to open up about food needs when they feel safe, respected, and sure that their answers will be used to help them—not hurt them,” says Ng. “If healthcare teams partner with trusted community organizations and consider caregiver preferences, screening can become a real doorway to support.”
