Influence
March 19, 2025

Screening for Food Insecurity: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

Sarah Wiehe, MD

Published in JAMA Here is a link to the article.

Regenstrief Institute authors: Sarah Wiehe, MD, MPH

Food insecurity remains a significant public health issue in the United States. In 2022, more than 12 percent of U.S. households experienced food insecurity, including more than 7 percent with low food security and more than 5 percent with very low food security. The burden is particularly severe among economically disadvantaged populations, with nearly one-third of households living below the federal poverty line affected. Food insecurity often coexists with a range of medical, psychological and social challenges, compounding the health risks for these vulnerable groups.

In response to the ongoing concerns about food insecurity and its health implications, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) commissioned a systematic review to evaluate the potential benefits and harms of screening for food insecurity in primary care settings. The review included studies focused on children, adolescents and adults to determine whether routine screening could positively impact health outcomes.

Following the review, the USPSTF concluded that the current evidence is insufficient to assess whether screening for food insecurity in healthcare settings improves health outcomes. As a result, the USPSTF issued an “I statement,” indicating that they cannot determine the balance of benefits and harms of such screening practices.

This finding highlights a significant gap in research. While food insecurity is widely recognized as a serious issue, more high-quality studies are needed to determine whether screening within primary care can effectively address this issue and improve patient outcomes. Until more evidence becomes available, healthcare providers must carefully consider individual patient needs and use their judgment in addressing food-related concerns.

Authors:

US Preventive Services Task ForceWanda K Nicholson 1Michael Silverstein 2John B Wong 3David Chelmow 4Tumaini Rucker Coker 5Alicia Fernandez 6Ericka Gibson 7Carlos Roberto Jaén 8Marie Krousel-Wood 9Sei Lee 6Goutham Rao 10John M Ruiz 11James Stevermer 12Joel Tsevat 8Sandra Millon Underwood 13Sarah Wiehe 14

Affiliations

1George Washington University, Washington, DC.

2Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island.

3Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.

4Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond.

5University of Washington, Seattle.

6University of California, San Francisco.

7Kaiser Permanente, Atlanta, Georgia.

8University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio.

9Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana.

10Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.

11University of Arizona, Tucson.

12University of Missouri, Columbia.

13University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.

14Indiana University, Bloomington.

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