School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
School of Health Sciences, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, Australia.
J Hum Nutr Diet. 2024 Oct;37(5):1349-1360. doi: 10.1111/jhn.13340. Epub 2024 Jul 11.
People experiencing socio-economic disadvantage face significantly higher rates of diet-related health inequities. This study aimed to explore barriers, opportunities and potential solutions in providing food and nutrition services to people experiencing socio-economic disadvantage from the perspective of services providers. The present study is part of a broad co-design model to improve service provision for people experiencing socio-economic disadvantage.
A cross-sectional online survey involving 33 open and closed-ended questions was distributed to Australian governmental and non-governmental organisations providing nutrition-related support to people experiencing socio-economic disadvantage aged 16 years and over. Data were analysed using frequency distributions and conceptual content analyses.
Sixty-eight responses were analysed. Services are predominantly offered by charitable organisations (90%), funded through private donations (66%) and reliant on volunteers (100%). Barriers to supporting clients' nutrition needs include financial constraints, limited community engagement, understaffing, insufficient resources and knowledge gaps. Opportunities and solutions for enhancing support include increasing government funding, advocacy initiatives, stronger community collaboration and more holistic, customised services. Proposed recommendations include establishing purpose-built facilities or wrap-around services to expand access to health services, life skills, training and educational programs.
Services face challenges including volunteer reliance, limited resources and inadequate government support, hindering food provision. Client barriers include transportation costs and lack of social support. With dedicated financial support, services can offer comprehensive assistance, including community spaces, staffing, health and social services and training. Community partnerships can maximise funding impact. Solutions must address overall well-being and broader social determinants such as income inequality and housing.
社会经济处于不利地位的人面临更高的饮食相关健康不平等的风险。本研究旨在从服务提供者的角度探讨为社会经济处于不利地位的人提供食物和营养服务的障碍、机会和潜在解决方案。本研究是广泛合作设计模型的一部分，旨在改善为社会经济处于不利地位的人提供服务。
一项涉及 33 个开放式和封闭式问题的横断面在线调查分发给澳大利亚政府和非政府组织，这些组织为 16 岁及以上社会经济处于不利地位的人提供与营养相关的支持。使用频率分布和概念内容分析对数据进行分析。
分析了 68 份回复。服务主要由慈善组织（90%）提供，资金来自私人捐款（66%），并依赖志愿者（100%）。支持客户营养需求的障碍包括财政限制、有限的社区参与、人员配备不足、资源不足和知识差距。增强支持的机会和解决方案包括增加政府资金、宣传倡议、加强社区合作以及提供更全面、更定制化的服务。建议包括建立专门的设施或综合服务，以扩大获得健康服务、生活技能、培训和教育计划的机会。
服务面临挑战，包括对志愿者的依赖、有限的资源和政府支持不足，这阻碍了食物的供应。客户的障碍包括交通成本和缺乏社会支持。在专门的财政支持下，服务可以提供全面的援助，包括社区空间、人员配备、健康和社会服务以及培训。社区伙伴关系可以最大限度地发挥资金的影响。解决方案必须解决整体福祉和更广泛的社会决定因素，如收入不平等和住房。
