Improving food support for hospitalized children and their families
Official title: Food-based Randomized trial for Enhancing Support of Hospitalized children and their families (FRESH)
Funded at Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr · NIH-11048381 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how giving food support, like meal cards for the hospital and grocery gift cards, can help low-income families feel less hungry while their child is in the hospital, making it easier for them to care for their little one and improving everyone's health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $690,147 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HD114702-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11048381 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are families with children aged 0-11 who are experiencing food insecurity during hospital stays.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not facing food insecurity or those whose families can afford adequate food during hospitalization may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of providing food support to low-income families during pediatric hospitalizations. It aims to alleviate hunger among parents of hospitalized children, which can impair their ability to care for their child. The approach includes offering meal cards for hospital cafeterias and grocery gift cards post-discharge to families facing food insecurity. By addressing these needs, the research seeks to improve both parental well-being and child health outcomes during and after hospitalization.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce food insecurity among hospitalized families, leading to better health outcomes for children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous interventions in similar settings have shown success in reducing parental hunger and improving family support during hospitalizations.
Where this research is happening
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Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
Cincinnati, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Auger, Katherine Ann Scott — Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Auger, Katherine Ann Scott
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.