TY - JOUR TI - Screen and intervene: implementation of a food insecurity screening and referral program in university student health centers DO - https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/t3-1gt9-5k98 PY - 2020 AB - Student food insecurity is a growing problem on college campuses and is negatively associated with educational success, physical health, and mental well-being among students. Although colleges are increasingly offering supports for food insecure students, a lack of formal outreach strategies may contribute to the underutilization of these services. Student health clinics can be natural locations to both screen students for food insecurity and to provide a formal referral to on-campus resources. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop and assess the implementation of a novel food insecurity screening and referral program within Rutgers University’s Student Health Services using a mix of qualitative and quantitative approaches. Of the students (n=5,819) who were screened by the program, 9.5% (n=551) were found to be food insecure. According to the RE-AIM framework, this program was highly effective in the dimensions of implementation, adoption, and maintenance, with an overall public health impact score of 76%. Results from the staff and clinician semi-structured interviews (n=18), indicate the program was perceived as successful, effective, and a valuable tool that supports the mission of Student Health Services. Findings indicate that hundreds of students seen by the health centers are struggling to feed themselves. They also highlight the importance of continuous food insecurity screening programs on campus. This study suggests that “screen and intervene” programs address the need for increased awareness, continual screening, and formal referral of resources which can help combat student food insecurity and should be considered in student health clinics and centers within universities and colleges across the nation. KW - Nutritional Sciences KW - Food security KW - College students -- Nutrition LA - English ER -