Over 10% of Surgical Patients Experience Food Insecurity

Food insecurity remains a significant challenge among surgical patients in the United States, according to a recent study published online on June 18, 2025, in JAMA Surgery. The research highlights that more than one in ten patients undergoing surgery face difficulties in accessing adequate food, which can adversely impact their recovery and overall health. Researchers from Harvard Medical School, led by Dr. Annabelle Jones, analyzed data from 254,283 participants in the National Health Interview Survey conducted between 2011 and 2018, including 32,823 surgical patients. They found that surgical patients reported a higher prevalence of food insecurity at 11.6%, compared to 10.5% among nonsurgical patients. Adjusted analyses revealed that surgical patients had a 12% higher chance of experiencing food insecurity. The study also demonstrated a strong link between food insecurity and factors such as lower income and poor health status. Notably, 40% of surgical patients with incomes less than twice the federal poverty level were enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), compared to 16% overall. The authors emphasized the importance of hospital-based interventions like SNAP enrollment assistance and proactive food insecurity screening to improve health outcomes for surgical patients. Addressing food insecurity in this vulnerable population might prove crucial in optimizing recovery and long-term health. This research underscores the need for healthcare providers to integrate social determinants of health into surgical care planning. For more details, visit source.