Breakout Session 2B: Background

Social determinants of health contribute more to our general quality and length of life than the medical care we provide in our communities. To address these needs, the Greater Lawrence Family Health Center has recently launched a food insecurity campaign to reduce barriers and access to food for residents of Lawrence. Our initial pilot data suggests that up to 2/3 of our patients are food insecure. To help address this problem we have partnered with the Greater Boston Food Bank to provide free monthly access to fruits and vegetables and assistance with obtaining governmental support.

Recognizing the significant impact food insecurity has on the community, we have also started to engage in community partnerships, particularly with the Mayor’s Health Task Force of Lawrence, Greater Boston Food Bank, and Groundworks Lawrence, to develop sustainable solutions to food insecurity. We also are working to develop an understanding of community needs through community members’ perspectives and experiences of food insecurity.

Our goal during this session is to describe how the use of informant interviews and focus groups, community needs assessment resources and stakeholder relationships helps to promote a community-driven movement that can tackle health equity.

Purpose

To promote and discuss methods of community partnership and community-based participatory research in addressing health equity in communities and healthcare organizations

To discuss methods and ideas for community engagement and partnership to address social determinants of health, particularly food insecurity.