Turning Concern Into Confidence: Planetary Health Needs in Nursing Education.

BACKGROUND: Climate change is a recognized global threat to human health, and nurses must be prepared to mitigate its negative effects. This article describes nursing student and faculty opinions about climate change and associated planetary health curricular needs. METHOD: A survey including the Six Americas Super Short Survey and an adaptation of the Planetary Health Report Card was developed and emailed to nursing students and faculty. RESULTS: Student (n = 72) and faculty (n = 56) responses showed that although they were concerned about climate change, they were not confident in preparation of nurses student to climate change and its impact. Students and faculty shared perceptions about specific curricular areas are to be included in curricula. CONCLUSION: In response to the updated Essentials, which include specific reference to climate change, widespread curricular change is imminent in nursing education. This study offers insight for integrating climate change and planetary health into nursing curricula. [J Nurs Educ. 2024;63(3):178-181.].

Distribution of fresh foods in food pantries: challenges and opportunities in Illinois during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The charitable food system distributes free food to clients across the U.S., but many nutrition and health-focused efforts encounter barriers to success, which were exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of the current study was to understand barriers and facilitators to distributing nutritious, fresh foods in food pantries across Illinois during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Forty-nine pantry representatives participated in focus groups in October 2021. A codebook was created based on relevant literature, stakeholder interests, and an initial review of the recordings. Transcripts of each group were coded and analyzed using a basic interpretive approach. RESULTS: Pantries distribution of fresh foods was impacted by community partners, food bank policies and practices, and the quality of the donated fresh foods. Physical constraints of pantries limit fresh food storage capacity. The COVID-19 pandemic magnified stressors in the charitable food system which highlighted how community partners might improve fresh food distribution. CONCLUSION: Focus groups with food pantry representatives across Illinois provided key insights that can inform future efforts to facilitate fresh food distribution in the charitable food system. Future studies should evaluate the effects of the suggested initiatives and changes at the food pantry, food bank, and policy levels.