Food and Nutrition Insecurity Among Medical Students at a Historically Black Medical School

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Public Health
• Socioeconomic Determinants of Health

Background:

• Food insecurity (FI) is a growing concern among medical students, yet data on its prevalence in Black-majority institutions is limited.
• Understanding FI's impact is crucial for addressing health disparities and ensuring equitable medical education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence and impact of food insecurity among medical students at Howard University College of Medicine (HUCM).
• To gather institution-level data on FI within a predominantly Black medical student population.
• To inform potential interventions and policy changes in medical education financing.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was administered to HUCM medical students in Spring 2025.
• The survey utilized the USDA Six-Item Short Form Food Security Scale and included questions on demographics, finances, nutrition, and academic impact.
• Anonymized responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Main Results:

• 49% of respondents met USDA criteria for food insecurity, with 23% experiencing very low food security.
• 35% reported that FI negatively impacted their academic performance.
• 92% of students desired on-campus food resources, and 83% were open to participating in a student-run garden.

Conclusions:

• This study presents the first institutional data on food insecurity in a majority Black medical student body.
• Findings underscore the critical need to reassess and reform financial support structures within medical education.
• Addressing food insecurity is essential for student well-being and academic success.