Pediatricians Support Screening for Food Insecurity: Wisconsin Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (WIAAP) to Partner with The HungerCare Coalition

Kimberly, WI, January 26, 2016 --(PR.com)-- The Wisconsin Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (WIAAP.org) supports efforts for children and families who struggle with food insecurity. Today the Chapter announces its partnership with the HungerCare Coalition, a program of Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin.

Despite improvements over the past few years, the latest statistics show that 1 in 5 children in Wisconsin struggles with hunger. (www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/our-research/map-the-meal-gap/2013/WI_AllCounties_CDs_CFI_2013.pdf) "The health effects of food insecurity on children are both immediate and long-term," said Jeffrey Britton, MD, FAAP, WIAAP President. "All partners - pediatricians, parents, advocates, government leaders, and educators must commit to making sure no child in our country goes hungry."

As part of the collaboration, WIAAP encourages its members to determine if a family is experiencing food insecurity using a simple, two-question screening tool endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in its November 2015 Policy Statement, "Promoting Food Security for All Children."

Anne Gargano Ahmed, HungerCare Coalition Coodinator said, "When a physician identifies a family in need, it's a perfect opportunity to point them to resources, including 2-1-1, FoodShare and Women, Infants and Children (WIC)." The Coalition offers free one-on-one consultations with interested clinics and hospitals to help them incorporate the screen into their workflow and connect patients with needed resources.

Comprising nearly 1,000 members and a part of the American Academy of Pediatrics (http://www.aap.org) WIAAP works to assure optimal health and safety for Wisconsin’s children and their families through advocacy and collaboration with child interest groups. WIAAP supports Wisconsin pediatricians, enabling them to continue to be the most effective providers of health care to children. The American Academy of Pediatrics is committed to the attainment of optimal physical, mental and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents and young adults.

The HungerCare Coalition (http://www.hungercare.org), a program of Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin, seeks to improve physical, mental, and emotional health outcomes in southwestern Wisconsin by increasing access to healthy, nutritious food, through strategic partnerships with members of the health care community. Through its partner programs, Second Harvest meets nearly 1 million requests for help each year.