Hunger: a hospital survey.
Patients at a New York City municipal hospital were surveyed in 1985 and 1989 to ascertain the extent of hunger and its possible correlates. Twenty-two percent (22%) of the 382 subjects in 1985 and 23% of the 332 subjects in 1989 experienced hunger. Hunger was related significantly to homelessness, social isolation and the physical inability to buy and/or prepare food. Between 1985 and 1989, there was a large increase in the use of institutional resources for food; a decline in reliance on Food Stamps; and an increase in household density. Inpatients were found to be poorer than outpatients, and to rely more heavily upon soup kitchens. Practice, policy and research implications are noted.
Rosenberg
E
E
School of Social Work, Adelphi University, Garden City, NY 11530.
Bernabo
L
L
D005508:Food Deprivation; D006773:Hospitals, Municipal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D006815:Hunger; D007297:Inpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010045:Outpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012948:Social Work Department, Hospital; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires