A MULTI-LEVEL APPROACH TO ADDRESSING DIET-RELATED CHRONIC DISEASE AND FOOD INSECURITY AMONG LOW-INCOME INDEPENDENT SENIORS IN SYRACUSE, NY

Low-income independent-living seniors in the City of Syracuse, NY are at an increased risk for diet-related chronic diseases due to limited affordability and access to healthy food, low food and nutrition-related knowledge, limited mobility, and lack of awareness of available food programs. Over 15% of Syracuse residents are aged 65 and over, and this age group is growing. Using the PRECEDE PROCEED model, we identified Predisposing, Enabling, and Reinforcing factors of relevance. Program goals are to increase food security and reduce incidence of diet-related chronic diseases among seniors in Syracuse, NY. The Health Belief Model (HBM) and Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) provide the theory base for a multi-level intervention, designed to increase awareness of diet-related disease risk and facilitate behavioral change. Planned intervention strategies include developing partnerships with corner stores, advocating for improved walkability of city sidewalks, providing education addressing misconceptions associated with SNAP benefits, and increasing awareness of available assistance with the SNAP application process as part of the multi-level Policy, Systems, and Environmental (PSE) approach. Awareness of available resources for local seniors will be promoted through social media and a series of flyers strategically placed throughout the community. Community partnerships facilitate the implementation of this program. Evaluation of intended outcomes is planned at one, five and ten years through pre- and post-program participant surveys and publicly-available health and demographic data. PSE approaches hold much promise for addressing healthy food access, food security and diet quality issues Syracuse seniors experience.