Community health measurement: Food insecurity

Food insecurity, defined as limited or uncertain access to adequate food to stay healthy, has been strongly linked to many negative health outcomes and increased healthcare costs.

We have expanded our quality measurement initiatives to include population-level data from our local communities to help identify and address healthcare issues stemming from food insecurity.

A look at the problem: Food insecurity

Food insecurity is a problem that is nearly always found in areas of poverty. As one of the poorest big cities in the United States, many Philadelphia households struggle with both issues at the same time.

One indicator of food insecurity is if a household receives the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Philadelphia households who receive SNAP benefits

The map and table below show the percentage of households who receive SNAP benefits in the zip codes surrounding Penn Medicine’s Philadelphia hospitals. We will update this information to reflect the latest data as our research continues.

Use the drop down to choose a zip code to view the percentage of households who received SNAP benefits in the neighborhoods surrounding Penn Medicine’s Philadelphia hospitals.

Select a zip code 19102 19103 19104 19106 19107 19123 19130 19131 19139 19142 19143 19145 19146 19147 19148 19151

Source: 2023 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

We are part of the solution: Food insecurity

Philadelphia is among the poorest big cities in the United States, with over 20 percent of Philadelphians living in poverty and more than 1/3 of our children living in households in poverty.

Medicaid provides insurance coverage for individuals and families living in poverty. Rates are high in Philadelphia, with 20 percent of the city covered by Medicaid. In some of Penn Medicine’s primary care practices, 40 percent of patients have Medicaid coverage.

We are using a data-driven approach to identify the areas of greatest food insecurity facing our communities and coordinate actionable plans to address them.

Penn Medicine is tackling food insecurity with on-campus offerings and community partnerships that bring fresh, nutritious food directly to patients and neighborhoods. From in-hospital food pantries and nutrition counseling to mobile distributions and community fridges, we’re building healthier futures in Philadelphia and beyond. Learn more about healthy food access.