Addressing the social needs of individuals with food allergy and celiac disease during COVID-19: A new practice model for sustained social care.
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- Bilaver, Lucy A.; Das, Rajeshree; Martinez, Erin; Brown, Emily; Gupta, Ruchi S.; Love, Marissa
- Source
- Social Work in Health Care. 2021, Vol. 60 Issue 2, p187-196. 10p.
- Subject
- *DIET in disease
*FOOD safety
*INSTITUTIONAL cooperation
*FOOD security
*SOCIAL workers
*MATHEMATICAL models
*CELIAC disease
*FOOD supply
*DIET therapy
*THEORY
*NEEDS assessment
*COVID-19 pandemic
*FOOD allergy
*SOCIAL case work
*DIFFUSION of innovations
*GLUTEN-free diet
- Language
- ISSN
- 0098-1389
COVID-19 has led to high rates of food insecurity. Food insecure patients with food allergy and celiac disease are especially vulnerable during the pandemic when foods become limited. This paper describes a practice innovation implemented by a community-based organization, Food Equality Initiative (FEI), whose mission is improving health and ending hunger among individuals with food allergy and celiac disease. FEI responded to the pandemic by converting their in-person pantries to a contactless delivery of safe foods. The practice innovation is discussed in relation to three system-level elements necessary to sustain the integration of social care into the delivery of healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]