J Cancer Surviv. 2025 Jan 4. doi: 10.1007/s11764-024-01733-w. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to develop and refine Cardiovascular Health Equity through Food (CHEF), an intervention to address food insecurity (FI) in early childhood cancer survivors (CCS).
METHODS: Single-center mixed-methods pilot study of a novel “food is medicine” intervention evaluating acceptability, satisfaction, and opportunities for refinement. CHEF participants were provided: (1) meal-kit delivery for 3 household meals/week for 3 months and (2) application assistance for federal nutrition benefits. Eligible participants were CCS < 1 year from cancer therapy completion, with self-reported FI or household income < 200% federal poverty level. Acceptability was defined as > 75% consent to participation, < 25% attrition, and > 75% program-component utilization. Surveys were completed at baseline and end-intervention, and semi-structured interviews were completed at months 1, 2, and 4.
RESULTS: Ten families (100%) consented to participation, with 0% attrition. Ninety-seven percent of meal kits were successfully received and > 90% cooked. Four families utilized study-team assistance in navigating benefits participation. One hundred percent of families would participate again, and 80% would recommend to others. Qualitative feedback supported CHEF’s timing following treatment and positive impact on family cooking engagement. Broader non-English language accessibility, formalized benefits counseling, and extended duration were identified as refinement opportunities.
CONCLUSION: CHEF was highly acceptable among CCS in early survivorship. The next steps include proof-of-concept evaluation of the refined intervention’s impact on cardiovascular-relevant outcomes among CCS with FI.
IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Interventions directly addressing food insecurity, a known cardiovascular risk factor, have the potential to support well-being and address health disparities among childhood cancer survivors.
PMID:39754703 | DOI:10.1007/s11764-024-01733-w
