Key Resources to Support Patients Experiencing Poverty
As part of March’s Nutrition Month, themed “Nourish to Flourish,” this article highlights tools and resources for healthcare providers with patients who may be facing financial barriers to essentials such as nutritious food and housing. With 1 in 4 Ottawa households experiencing food insecurity (2023 data), physicians and nurse practitioners know first-hand how challenging it can be for patients to manage their health conditions when they cannot afford the food they need for therapeutic diets, medications, or transportation costs to attend medical appointments
Food Insecurity in Ottawa
Food insecurity is defined as having inadequate or insecure access to food due to financial constraints. It can range from concerns about running out of food, settling for lower-quality or smaller quantities of food, or even skipping meals altogether.
In 2023, Public Health Ontario data shows that nearly 1 in 4 households (23.7%) in Ottawa experienced food insecurity, a significant increase from 1 in 7 households (14.8%) in 2022. Food insecurity is most prevalent amongst renters, families with children, recipients of social assistance, single female parent households and Indigenous households.
Evidence indicates that policy measures aimed at increasing the incomes of low-income households is the most effective way to reduce household food insecurity. Food banks, food education programs and budgeting workshops do not effectively address the underlying social and economic conditions that contribute to household food insecurity.
Enhancing Care: Poverty Screening and Resources
Poverty: A Clinical Tool for Primary Care Providers is a screening tool with key questions to assess patients’ living situations and refer patients to appropriate community services, such as free income tax clinics.
Free income tax clinics are available to help patients with modest incomes and simple tax situations to file their income tax returns. This ensures that they receive the government benefits they are entitled to, such as the Canada Child Benefit and GST/HST credits. Filing income tax return is required to apply for subsidized housing.
Application for Special Diet Allowance (SDA): A patient who is with Ontario Works (OW) or who is on the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), may be eligible for an SDA. An approved health care professional must complete the application form
Ontario 211: Patients can search by topic on Ontario 211, including community and social resources related to food programs and services.
Health Connect Ontario 811: Patients can speak to a registered dietitian for free.
Physician & NP Resources
- Poverty: A Clinical Tool for Primary Care Providers (ON), (English only) Centre for Effective Practice
- Nutrition Resources for Professionals and Partners, Ottawa Public Health
- Food Insecurity, Ottawa Public Health
Patient Resources
- Free Tax Clinics, Government of Canada
- Nutrition Resources, Ottawa Public Health
Karina Kwong, RD MPH
Public Health Nutritionist, Ottawa Public Health