New Research from the Humana Foundation Examines Food Insecurity Crisis Among Kentucky Seniors

Core Insights - The Humana Foundation's new issue brief highlights the growing food insecurity crisis among seniors in Kentucky, emphasizing the need for community-driven solutions and investments to address this public health challenge [1][4][6] Summary by Sections Food Insecurity Statistics - Kentucky ranks 46th among all states in senior health status, with food insecurity among seniors aged 65 and older currently at 12.0%, exceeding the national average of 9.2% [2] - Approximately one in five seniors in Kentucky has type 2 diabetes, and a similar proportion reports being diagnosed with depression, both of which are often linked to food insecurity [2] Mental Health and Social Factors - There is a strong correlation between food insecurity and mental health issues among seniors, with loneliness and lack of social support significantly increasing the likelihood of food insecurity [3] Barriers to Accessing Nutritious Food - Key barriers affecting seniors' access to nutritious food include mobility and transportation challenges, geographic and social isolation, limited income, and difficulties in applying for food assistance [4] - The research involved interviews with seniors from both rural and urban areas, revealing that rural seniors face additional challenges due to the distances required to obtain affordable and nutritious food [4] Call to Action and Recommendations - The issue brief calls for investments in community-driven programs that prioritize seniors' voices and address both nutrition and social connections [6] - Recommendations include increasing outreach and enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which currently has only 18.5% of eligible seniors enrolled in Kentucky [9] - The brief advocates for cross-sector collaboration among food and aging service providers, supported by government and philanthropic initiatives, to create a sustainable food ecosystem for seniors [7][9]