b'The Real Cost of HungerHungers negative effect on health is a well- In the report, An Avoidable $2.4 Billion Cost, documented area of research. Now, for the firstresearchers estimated healthcare, special education, time ever, we can also estimate the health-relatedand lost work time costs for conditions attributable to financial impact of hunger in Massachusetts. food insecurity, such as pulmonary disease and Type 2 diabetes.A groundbreaking study sponsored by The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) and conducted byThe study recommends many public and private the nonpartisan research organization Childrenssector measures to help alleviate food insecurity, HealthWatch estimated the health-related cost ofsuch as strengthening government food assistance hunger and food insecurity in Massachusetts to beprograms and screening patients for food insecurity at least $2.4 billion in 2016.at healthcare centers. Medical research has shown that food-insecureGBFB partners with nine healthcare centers across adults are at higher risk for chronic ailmentsEastern Massachusetts to screen patients for food such as diabetes, hypertension and depression.insecurity, provide them with local food assistance Children are at higher risk of impaired physical andresources, and run free farmers market-style food mental development.distributions every month at the centers.Graphic on page 4 developed by Childrens HealthWatch.3 THE GREATER BOSTON FOOD BANK 2018 ANNUAL REPORT'