Humana Foundation report: Senior food insecurity is a growing KY public health challenge – NKyTribune

Report on Senior Food Insecurity in Kentucky and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

A new issue brief from the Humana Foundation, titled “Senior Food Insecurity in Kentucky: A Growing Public Health Challenge,” details significant obstacles faced by the state’s older adult population in accessing nutritious food. The findings present a critical challenge to achieving several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

Analysis of Key Findings: A Challenge to SDG 2 and SDG 3

Statistical Overview of Food Insecurity

The report highlights alarming statistics that position Kentucky as a state of concern regarding the welfare of its senior population, directly impacting progress toward national and global development goals.

• The food insecurity rate among Kentucky’s population aged 65 and older is 12.0%, significantly exceeding the national average of 9.2%.
• Kentucky ranks 46th among all states in overall senior health status, indicating a substantial gap in achieving SDG 3.

Correlation with Health and Well-being (SDG 3)

The research establishes a direct link between food insecurity and adverse health outcomes, underscoring the interconnected nature of nutrition and well-being as outlined in SDG 3.

• Approximately one in five seniors in Kentucky has type 2 diabetes, a condition often associated with poor nutrition.
• A similar number of seniors report a diagnosis of depression, linking food insecurity to mental health challenges.
• Loneliness and social isolation are identified as significant factors that increase the likelihood of seniors being food insecure, further compromising their well-being.

Barriers to Achieving Zero Hunger (SDG 2) for Kentucky’s Seniors

Systemic Obstacles

The brief identifies a complex web of systemic barriers preventing seniors from accessing the basic necessity of nutritious food, thereby hindering the realization of SDG 2.

• Mobility and transportation challenges.
• Geographic and social isolation, particularly acute in rural areas.
• Limited income and financial constraints.
• Administrative obstacles preventing enrollment in food assistance programs.

Disparities in Access (SDG 10 & SDG 11)

The report notes that challenges are compounded by geographic location, revealing inequalities that must be addressed to fulfill SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Seniors in rural areas face long travel distances to obtain affordable food, while urban seniors are hindered by mobility issues and a lack of transportation or internet access for delivery services.

A Call to Action: Strategic Investments for SDG Attainment

The issue brief proposes a call to action with four key investment areas designed to build a sustainable and equitable food ecosystem for seniors, directly aligning with a multi-goal approach to sustainable development.

1. Fund and Scale Community-Driven Programs: Invest in local initiatives that center the voices of seniors to address both nutrition (SDG 2) and social connection (SDG 3), fostering community resilience.
2. Invest in Senior SNAP Outreach: Enhance support for organizations that help seniors navigate complex benefits systems. This action directly targets SDG 2 and SDG 10 by increasing enrollment from the current low rate of 18.5% of eligible seniors and reducing inequality in access to social safety nets.
3. Foster Cross-Sector Collaboration (SDG 17): Build and invest in coalitions across healthcare, aging, agriculture, and philanthropy. This partnership-based approach, central to SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), is essential for creating a resilient and equitable senior food ecosystem.
4. Support Research and Evaluation: Fund county-level studies to gather precise data on senior food insecurity. This commitment to evidence-based action will help scale best practices that improve nutrition and well-being, accelerating progress toward SDGs 2 and 3.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger

   • The article’s central theme is “Senior Food Insecurity in Kentucky,” which directly aligns with SDG 2’s goal to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. The text focuses on the challenges older adults face in “accessing nutritious foods” and the rising rate of food insecurity in this demographic.

2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • The article establishes a clear link between food insecurity and health outcomes. It states that Kentucky ranks “46th among all states in overall senior health status” and notes that conditions like “type 2 diabetes” and “depression” are “often associated with food insecurity.” It also highlights the connection between food access and “mental health,” “loneliness,” and “emotional well-being.”

3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • This goal is relevant as the article focuses on a specific vulnerable population: “older adults” or “seniors.” It highlights the inequality they face, noting that food insecurity among Kentucky’s seniors (12.0%) is higher than the national average (9.2%). The article also points to inequalities based on location (rural vs. urban) and access to resources like transportation and income.

4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • The article’s “call to action” explicitly advocates for partnerships to solve the problem. It calls to “Foster Cross-Sector Collaboration by joining or investing in coalitions across healthcare, aging, agriculture, and philanthropy.” This directly reflects the essence of SDG 17, which emphasizes the need for multi-stakeholder partnerships to achieve sustainable development.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 2.1: End hunger and ensure access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food

   • The entire article is dedicated to this target. It discusses the struggle of Kentucky seniors to access “nutritious foods” and highlights that many are “skipping meals.” The goal is to ensure this vulnerable group has access to sufficient food all year round.

2. Target 3.4: Reduce mortality from non-communicable diseases and promote mental health

   • The article connects food insecurity to non-communicable diseases by stating, “About one in five seniors in the state has type 2 diabetes.” It also addresses the mental health component of this target by linking food insecurity to depression, loneliness, and the need to improve “emotional well-being.”

3. Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age

   • This target is addressed through the focus on the specific challenges faced by older adults. The article calls for solutions that “center seniors’ voices” and address barriers like “mobility and transportation challenges, geographic and social isolation, [and] limited income,” which prevent their full inclusion and access to basic necessities. The low enrollment in SNAP also points to a lack of inclusion in social protection systems.

4. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships

   • The article’s call for a “collaborative effort involving a cross-section of food and aging service providers supported by government and philanthropic initiatives” is a direct reflection of this target. It advocates for building a “resilient, equitable, and sustainable ‘senior food ecosystem'” through such partnerships.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Prevalence of food insecurity

   • The article provides a direct indicator for Target 2.1 by stating, “Food insecurity among Kentucky’s 65-and-older population is on the rise. It currently stands at 12.0%, surpassing the national average of 9.2%.” This percentage is a key metric to track progress.

2. Prevalence of non-communicable diseases and mental health conditions

   • As an indicator for Target 3.4, the article notes, “About one in five seniors in the state has type 2 diabetes, and a similar number report having been diagnosed with depression.” These statistics can be used to measure the health impact of food insecurity and the effectiveness of interventions.

3. Enrollment in social protection programs

   • The article provides a specific indicator for Target 10.2 by highlighting the low participation in food assistance: “Currently, only 18.5% of eligible seniors in Kentucky are enrolled in the [SNAP] food assistance program.” Increasing this enrollment rate would be a clear measure of progress in promoting the inclusion of seniors.

4. Formation of cross-sector coalitions

   • While not a quantitative figure, the article implies an indicator for Target 17.17 through its call to action to “Foster Cross-Sector Collaboration by joining or investing in coalitions.” The number and effectiveness of such coalitions formed across healthcare, aging, agriculture, and philanthropy would serve as a measure of progress.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: nkytribune.com