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Bhawra J, Elsahli N, Patel J. Applying Digital Technology to Understand Human Experiences of Climate Change Impacts on Food Security and Mental Health: Scoping Review. JMIR Public Health Surveill 2024; 10:e54064. [PMID: 39042453 PMCID: PMC11303902 DOI: 10.2196/54064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The global impact of climate change ranges from intense heatwaves to extreme weather events that endanger entire ecosystems and people's way of life. Adverse climate change events place undue stress on food and health systems, with consequences for human food security and mental health status. Ubiquitous digital devices, such as smartphones, have the potential to manage existing and emerging climate-related crises, given their ability to enable rapid response, instant communication, and knowledge sharing. OBJECTIVE This scoping review aimed to identify digital apps being used to capture or address climate change impacts on food security and mental health to inform the development of a digital citizen science initiative. METHODS A scoping review was conducted using 3 peer-reviewed databases (PubMed, IEEE Xplore, and Web of Science) and manual gray literature searches of relevant organizational (ie, governmental and nonprofit) websites to identify articles and reports published between January 2012 and July 2023. Three separate searches were conducted in each database to identify digital apps focused on climate change and (1) food security, (2) mental health, and (3) food security and mental health. Two reviewers conducted initial screening, with a third reviewer resolving any discrepancies. Articles focused on climate change impacts on wildlife or agriculture (ie, not human food security) were excluded. Full-text screening was conducted for shortlisted articles, and a final data abstraction table was generated, summarizing key app features, contextual factors, and participant involvement. RESULTS From the 656 records screened, 14 digital apps met the inclusion criteria. The food security apps (n=7, 50%) aimed to capture traditional knowledge to preserve food systems, conduct food security assessments, and aid users in decreasing food insecurity risk. The mental health apps (n=7, 50%) assessed climate change-related stress and provided users with coping strategies following adverse weather events. No digital apps examined the intersection of climate change, food security, and mental health. Key app features included user-to-user communication (n=5, 36%), knowledge databases (n=5, 36%), data collection and analysis (n=3, 21%), gamification (n=1, 7%), and educational resources (n=2, 14%) to address climate change impacts on food security or mental health. In total, 3 approaches to participant involvement were used across studies, including contributory (n=1, 7%), collaborative (n=1, 7%), and cocreative (n=1, 7%) approaches, to ensure the relevance and use of digital apps. CONCLUSIONS Most digital apps identified provided a service to citizens to either prevent adverse climate change-related health impacts or manage these effects following an acute event or a natural disaster. The capacity of ubiquitous digital tools to enable near real-time communication, the involvement of various stakeholder groups, and their ability to share relevant educational resources in a timely manner are important for developing tailored climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies across jurisdictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmin Bhawra
- CHANGE Research Lab, School of Occupational and Public Health, Faculty of Community Services, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nadine Elsahli
- School of Health Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Jamin Patel
- School of Health Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, ON, Canada
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Barnett DJ, Sundermeir SM, Reznar MM, Lightner A, Poirier L, Rosenblum AJ, Oladimeji AT, Igusa T, Neff R, Ruggiero CF, Lewis EC, Jager L, Moses L, Velez-Burgess V, Gagnon B, Attar N, Gittelsohn J. Protocol for the Support Application for Food PAntrieS trial: design, implementation, and evaluation plan for a digital application to promote healthy food access and support food pantry operations. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1340707. [PMID: 38855456 PMCID: PMC11157040 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1340707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Food-insecure households commonly rely on food pantries to supplement their nutritional needs, a challenge that was underscored during the COVID-19 pandemic. Food pantries, and the food banks that supply them, face common challenges in meeting variable client volume and dietary needs under normal and emergency (e.g., pandemic, natural disaster) conditions. A scalable digital strategy that has the capacity to streamline the emergency food distribution system, while promoting healthy food options, managing volunteer recruitment and training, and connecting to emergency management systems in times of need, is urgently required. To address this gap, we are developing a working mobile application (app) called the Support Application for Food PAntrieS (SAFPAS) and will evaluate its feasibility and impact on food pantry staff preparedness, stocking, and client uptake of healthful foods and beverages in two urban United States settings. Methods This paper describes the protocol for a randomized controlled trial of the SAFPAS mobile application. We will conduct formative research in Baltimore, Maryland and Detroit, Michigan to develop and refine the SAFPAS app and increase scalability potential to other urban settings. Then we will test the app in 20 food pantries in Baltimore randomized to intervention or comparison. The impact of the app will be evaluated at several levels of the emergency food system, including food pantry clients (n = 360), food pantry staff and volunteers (n = 100), food pantry stock, and city agencies such as the local food bank and Office of Emergency Management. The primary outcome of the SAFPAS trial is to improve the healthfulness of the foods received by food pantry clients, measured using the Food Assessment Scoring Tool (FAST). Post-trial, we will conduct additional formative research in Detroit to prepare the app for scale-up. Discussion We anticipate that SAFPAS will improve alignment in the supply and demand for healthy foods among food pantry clients, food pantries, and city agencies which supply food in Baltimore. Real-time, bidirectional communication between entities across the system allows for increased situational awareness at all levels during normal and emergency operations. By conducting formative research in Detroit, we hope to increase the scalability of the SAFPAS app to additional settings nationwide. Clinical trial registration NCT87654321. https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05880004.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J. Barnett
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Samantha M. Sundermeir
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Melissa M. Reznar
- School of Health Sciences, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, United States
| | - Alexis Lightner
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Lisa Poirier
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Andrew J. Rosenblum
- Public Health Studies, Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Ayoyemi Toheeb Oladimeji
- Department of Civil and Systems Engineering, Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Takeru Igusa
- Department of Civil and Systems Engineering, Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Roni Neff
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Cara F. Ruggiero
- Division of General Academic Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Mass General for Children, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Emma C. Lewis
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Leah Jager
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Leena Moses
- Behavioral and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Veronica Velez-Burgess
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Brooke Gagnon
- School of Health Sciences, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, United States
| | - Noor Attar
- School of Health Sciences, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, United States
| | - Joel Gittelsohn
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Kim KK, Backonja U. Perspectives of community-based organizations on digital health equity interventions: a key informant interview study. J Am Med Inform Assoc 2024; 31:929-939. [PMID: 38324738 PMCID: PMC10990549 DOI: 10.1093/jamia/ocae020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health and healthcare are increasingly dependent on internet and digital solutions. Medically underserved communities that experience health disparities are often those who are burdened by digital disparities. While digital equity and digital health equity are national priorities, there is limited evidence about how community-based organizations (CBOs) consider and develop interventions. METHODS We conducted key informant interviews in 2022 purposively recruiting from health and welfare organizations engaged in digital equity work. Nineteen individuals from 13 organizations serving rural and/or urban communities from the local to national level participated in semi-structured interviews via Zoom regarding their perspectives on digital health equity interventions. Directed content analysis of verbatim interview transcripts was conducted to identify themes. RESULTS Themes emerged at individual, organizational, and societal levels. Individual level themes included potential benefits from digital health equity, internet access challenges, and the need for access to devices and digital literacy. Organizational level themes included leveraging community assets, promising organizational practices and challenges. For the societal level, the shifting complexity of the digital equity ecosystem, policy issues, and data for needs assessment and evaluation were described. Several example case studies describing these themes were provided. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Digital health equity interventions are complex, multi-level endeavors. Clear elucidation of the individual, organizational, and societal level factors that may impact digital health equity interventions are necessary to understanding if and how CBOs participate in such initiatives. This study presents unique perspectives directly from CBOs driving programs in this new arena of digital health equity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine K Kim
- MITRE Corporation, Health Innovation Center, McLean, VA 22102, United States
- Department of Public Health Sciences/Division of Health Informatics, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, United States
| | - Uba Backonja
- MITRE Corporation, Health Innovation Center, McLean, VA 22102, United States
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Crespo-Bellido M, Fernandez Ong J, Yaroch A, Byker Shanks C. E-health Dietary Interventions for Participants of SNAP and WIC: A Systematic Review. Curr Dev Nutr 2024; 8:102099. [PMID: 38706511 PMCID: PMC11069071 DOI: 10.1016/j.cdnut.2024.102099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The migration of federal assistance services to online platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic sparked interest in digital nutrition education for individuals participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) programs. With federal government investing in the modernization of the nutrition education components of both programs, there is a need to identify science-backed electronic health (e-health) dietary interventions to improve health outcomes in this population. Therefore, the objective of this systematic literature review was to summarize the effectiveness, acceptability, and feasibility of e-health dietary interventions among individuals participating in WIC or SNAP. Keyword searches were performed in Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct. The search included peer-reviewed literature from 2014 to 2023 and a few articles offering context about interventions used long-term by the nutrition assistance programs. PRISMA guidelines were followed to conduct this systematic literature review, which resulted in 36 articles eligible for extraction. The studies evaluated e-health (52.8%), short message service/text messaging (27.8%), and smartphone application interventions (19.4%) delivered to WIC or SNAP participants. The interventions identified aimed to modify food choice, eating behavior, and dietary intake among SNAP participants, SNAP-eligible adults, and WIC participants. Most interventions were developed using content delivery and health behavior theoretical frameworks (77.8%) and evidence-based nutritional recommendations (59.3%). Review findings show a high level of acceptability and feasibility for e-health and mobile health dietary interventions among WIC and SNAP participants but varying levels of effectiveness. Level of engagement, dosage, retention, and adherence were strong predictors of positive dietary behavior change regardless of the mode of intervention delivery. Future studies need to prioritize health equity by recruiting samples representative of food nutrition assistance participants and addressing digital health literacy as a potential barrier to intervention effectiveness, as none of the present studies measured literacy among participants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Amy Yaroch
- Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition, Omaha, NE, United States
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Crespo-Bellido M, Steeves EA, Hill JL, Kersten S, Nitto AM. Vendors' Perceptions and Experiences with WIC Online Shopping Implementation. Curr Dev Nutr 2024; 8:102084. [PMID: 38375071 PMCID: PMC10875264 DOI: 10.1016/j.cdnut.2024.102084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Online shopping (OS) holds promise for improving the shopping experience for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). However, little is known about vendors' perspectives on implementing OS in the context of WIC. Objectives The present study aimed to understand vendors' experiences, needs, and barriers to WIC OS implementation. Methods We recruited vendors at various stages of WIC OS planning and implementation (n = 16). Semistructured interviews were conducted, transcribed, and coded using subconstructs of the i-PARIHS framework domains (e.g., Characteristics of the Innovation, recipient, context, and facilitation) to assess determinants related to adoption and implementation of WIC OS among vendors. Results Interviewees represented various organizations, including local (n = 5), regional (n = 4), and national (n = 5) entities, along with enablement platforms (n = 2). The interviews yielded themes related to experiences planning and implementing a WIC OS system (n = 7) and perceived needs and barriers (n = 3). Vendors drew on prior experiences with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) OS to inform WIC OS projects, stressing the importance of building relationships and collaborating, particularly in technical partnerships, during WIC OS implementation. They also highlighted the value of leveraging existing OS systems to implement WIC OS projects, discussed WIC OS perceived benefits, emphasized the role of educating staff and participants on its usage, and valued WIC OS implementation guidance provided by WIC agencies. Needs and barriers for vendors contemplating WIC OS implementation included the need for evidence of successful implementation of WIC OS projects, understanding current regulatory implications, and appraising existing priorities and financial considerations for adopting and implementing WIC OS. Conclusions WIC OS innovations are integral to modernizing the federal food assistance program. The present study highlights the role of vendor engagement, collaboration, guidance from WIC agencies, and knowledge sharing in ensuring WIC OS success. These insights can inform how WIC State agencies engage vendors to implement WIC OS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jennie L Hill
- Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition, Omaha, NE, United States
- Division of Health System Innovation and Research, Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Sarah Kersten
- Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition, Omaha, NE, United States
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Rivera AF, Smith NR, Ruiz A. A systematic literature review of food banks’ supply chain operations with a focus on optimization models. JOURNAL OF HUMANITARIAN LOGISTICS AND SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT 2023. [DOI: 10.1108/jhlscm-09-2021-0087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Purpose
Food banks play an increasingly important role in society by mitigating hunger and helping needy people; however, research aimed at improving food bank operations is limited.
Design/methodology/approach
This systematic review used Web of Science and Scopus as search engines, which are extensive databases in Operations Research and Management Science. Ninety-five articles regarding food bank operations were deeply analyzed to contribute to this literature review.
Findings
Through a systematic literature review, this paper identifies the challenges faced by food banks from an operations management perspective and positions the scientific contributions proposed to address these challenges.
Originality/value
This study makes three main contributions to the current literature. First, this study provides new researchers with an overview of the key features of food bank operations. Second, this study identifies and classifies the proposed optimization models to support food bank managers with decision-making. Finally, this study discusses the challenges of food bank operations and proposes promising future research avenues.
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Nguyen CJ, Pham C, Jackson AM, Ellison NLK, Sinclair KI. Online Food Security Discussion Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Community Groups and Organizations: Content Analysis of Facebook Posts. Asian Pac Isl Nurs J 2022; 6:e40436. [PMID: 36212246 PMCID: PMC9528231 DOI: 10.2196/40436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) population experiences disproportionately higher rates of food insecurity, which is a risk factor for cardiometabolic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and hypertension, when compared to white individuals. Novel and effective approaches that address food insecurity are needed for the NHPI population, particularly in areas of the continental United States, which is a popular migration area for many NHPI families. Social media may serve as an opportune setting to reduce food insecurity and thus the risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases among NHPI people; however, it is unclear if and how food insecurity is discussed in online communities targeting NHPI individuals. Objective The objective of this study was to characterize the quantity, nature, and audience engagement of messages related to food insecurity posted online in community groups and organizations that target NHPI audiences. Methods Publicly accessible Facebook pages and groups focused on serving NHPI community members living in the states of Washington or Oregon served as the data source. Facebook posts between March and June 2019 (before the COVID-19 pandemic) and from March to June 2020 (during the COVID-19 pandemic) that were related to food security were identified using a set of 36 related keywords. Data on the post and any user engagement (ie, comments, shares, or digital reactions) were extracted for all relevant posts. A content analytical approach was used to identify and quantify the nature of the identified posts and any related comments. The codes resulting from the content analysis were described and compared by year, page type, and engagement. Results Of the 1314 nonduplicated posts in the 7 relevant Facebook groups and pages, 88 were related to food security (8 in 2019 and 80 in 2020). The nature of posts was broadly classified into literature-based codes, food assistance (the most common), perspectives of food insecurity, community gratitude and support, and macrolevel contexts. Among the 88 posts, 74% (n=65) had some form of engagement, and posts reflecting community gratitude and support or culture had more engagement than others (mean 19.9, 95% CI 11.2-28.5 vs mean 6.1, 95% CI 1.7-10.4; and mean 26.8, 95% CI 12.7-40.9 vs mean 5.3, 95% CI 3.0-7.7, respectively). Conclusions Food security-related posts in publicly accessible Facebook groups targeting NHPI individuals living in Washington and Oregon largely focused on food assistance, although cultural values of gratitude, maintaining NHPI culture, and supporting children were also reflected. Future work should capitalize on social media as a potential avenue to reach a unique cultural group in the United States experiencing inequitably high rates of food insecurity and risk of cardiometabolic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra Jean Nguyen
- Institute for Research and Education to Advance Community Health Washington State University Seattle, WA United States
| | - Christian Pham
- Elson S Floyd College of Medicine Washington State University Spokane, WA United States
| | - Alexandra M Jackson
- Institute for Research and Education to Advance Community Health Washington State University Seattle, WA United States
| | | | - Ka Imi Sinclair
- Institute for Research and Education to Advance Community Health Washington State University Seattle, WA United States
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