{"id":62231,"date":"2025-11-19T16:06:12","date_gmt":"2025-11-19T15:06:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pharma-trend.com\/en\/new-research-from-the-humana-foundation-examines-food-insecurity-crisis-among-kentucky-seniors\/"},"modified":"2025-11-19T16:06:12","modified_gmt":"2025-11-19T15:06:12","slug":"new-research-from-the-humana-foundation-examines-food-insecurity-crisis-among-kentucky-seniors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pharma-trend.com\/en\/new-research-from-the-humana-foundation-examines-food-insecurity-crisis-among-kentucky-seniors\/","title":{"rendered":"New Research from the Humana Foundation Examines Food Insecurity Crisis Among Kentucky Seniors"},"content":{"rendered":"
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LOUISVILLE, Ky.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Humana Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Humana Inc.<\/a> for the past 44 years, today announced the publication of its new issue brief, Senior Food Insecurity in Kentucky: A Growing Public Health Challenge<\/i>. The brief examines the complex web of challenges the state\u2019s older adults face in accessing nutritious foods and offers a call to action with recommended investments that can help overcome those barriers.<\/p>\n

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\nKentucky ranks 46th <\/sup>among all states in overall senior health status. Food insecurity among Kentucky\u2019s 65-and-older population is on the rise. It currently stands at 12.0%, surpassing the national average of 9.2%. About one in five seniors in the state has type 2 diabetes, and a similar number report having been diagnosed with depression; both conditions are often associated with food insecurity.<\/p>\n

\nThe research also points to the strong relationship between food insecurity and the mental health of seniors. Loneliness and lack of social support are also significantly associated with higher odds of being food insecure.<\/p>\n

\n\u201cNutritious food is foundational to good health, especially for older adults. But far too many Kentucky seniors are struggling to access that basic human necessity due to a myriad of factors, including mobility and transportation challenges, geographic and social isolation, limited income, and obstacles preventing them from applying for food assistance,\u201d said Danielle Neveles-McGrath, Chief Impact Officer of the Humana Foundation and co-author of the issue brief. \u201cAt the same time, more support for community-driven solutions that center seniors\u2019 voices, scale existing resources and invest in breaking down access barriers is urgently needed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\nThe issue brief identifies key barriers affecting senior food access and community-led investments that would improve food security and the health of older adults. It emphasizes the importance of listening to seniors to better understand those obstacles and develop long-lasting solutions. Reflecting the need to hear directly from older adults, the research team interviewed Kentucky seniors impacted by food insecurity who live in both rural and urban areas. For those located in rural areas, the challenges are compounded by the distances they have to travel to obtain affordable and nutritious foods.<\/p>\n

\n\u201cThere are months I skip meals,\u201d said Ms. Terri, a research participant living in the small South-Central Kentucky town of Scottsville. \u201cI just want to sit here and cry. We\u2019re suffering and we shouldn\u2019t have to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\nMany seniors living in urban areas also face obstacles in securing healthy food. Mobility issues, as well as a lack of transportation and internet access, hinder older adults from accessing markets, food pantries and delivery apps. One Humana Foundation nonprofit partner serving Louisville seniors is Dare to Care Food Bank, <\/i>a charitable food system that supports food pantries in offering delivery services and mobile market options in low-income housing communities.<\/p>\n

\nIn a call to action to reduce food insecurity among Kentucky\u2019s seniors, the issue brief identifies needed investments:<\/p>\n