Mahrukh Delawarzad and Ali Rasha, “No Student Left Hungry”
Mentor: Rose Hennessy Garza, Public Health, Public Health (Joseph J. Zilber School of)
Poster #62
Reports of college students experiencing food insecurity (FI), defined as inadequate access, availability, adequacy, and stability of food, have sparked national calls for alleviation and prevention policies. Food insecurity is a significant public health issue affecting millions of Americans, including college students. A 2016 survey conducted by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Student Association revealed that 50% of UWM students reported not having enough food to eat, while 30% of respondents stated they had gone a full day without eating due to financial constraints. Also, 2024 data from the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice found that nearly 38% of college students experience food insecurity.To address this issue, a hypothetical evidence-based program will be developed using Intervention Mapping and findings from an informal literature review. This program aims to identify risk and protective factors associated with food insecurity. Behavioral health theory will guide the delivery of program components, and a logic model will be developed to link suggested activities to long-term outcomes to address food insecurity and improve public health.The planning process will focus on sustainable interventions that improve student access to nutritious food while establishing reliable resources for those in need. Stakeholders involved in this initiative would include students, faculty, local organizations, food pantry workers, and government representatives to foster long-term solutions. Implementing programs like this in the future is critical to ensuring that no student is left hungry.