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by Suzanne Rostler (courtesy Homeless People's Network)
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Many of the programs set up to
help elderly people afford food are not reaching those in need,
results of a study suggest.
According to researchers, nearly one quarter of about 1,000
disabled women aged 65 years and older said they could not afford
food. But less than 3% received home delivered meals, less than
5% attended group meal programs and only about 19% were receiving
food stamps.
``Despite national programs targeted at reducing nutritional
deficits in the elderly, particularly the frail elderly, many
older disabled women still appear to be having difficulties
obtaining adequate food,'' Dr. Lisa M. Klesges, from the
University of Tennessee in Memphis, and colleagues report. Their
study is published in the January issue of the American Journal
of Public Health, journal of the American Public Health
Association.
Minority women were more likely to report financial barriers
to receiving food, the report indicates. Nearly 50% of non-white
women compared with just over 13% of white women reported
financial difficulty obtaining food.
The authors suggest that this
finding reflects ``the depth of
poverty in non-white women.''
In other findings, women who were depressed were more likely
to report financial difficulties, and those who reported
financial problems were more likely to be diagnosed with anemia.
``Given the high prevalence of nutritional problems reported
in older disabled women, especially urban blacks, nutritional
screening programs in health and social agencies need
consideration,'' Klesges told Reuters Health. ``Methods to increase
the availability and acceptability of nutrition programs to older
Americans should be considered to prevent potential ill-health
and early demise.''
SOURCE: American Journal of Public Health 2001;91:68-75
**In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material
is distributed without charge or profit to those who have
expressed a prior interest in receiving this type of information
for non-profit research and educational purposes only.**
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