Description: This course is a critical exploration of the health issues related to domestic food security, food policy, and food programs, with a focus on maternal and child health. We will examine the array of negative health outcomes associated with food insecurity, discuss potential mechanisms underlying these associations, how food policy is made, the intersection of food policy with public health nutrition, and the influence of federal food assistance programs on diet-related outcomes for children and families.
Learning Objectives: 1. Describe the terminology and measurement of food insecurity
2. Understand families’ lived experiences of food insecurity
3. Articulate the process for creating federal food policy and national dietary guidelines
4. Participate in the policy process through public comment
5. Identify the primary federal food assistance programs that serve the MCH population and their recent policy changes
6. Critically evaluate research on food security and food policy
7. Develop strong written and verbal communication skills
