More than 5 million older Americans are at risk of hunger, and every day millions of older adults must choose between buying groceries or the medicine they need.

Good health is linked to diet. Hunger increases the risk for stroke, aggravates pre-existing ill health conditions, limits the usefulness of many prescription drugs, and may affect brain chemistry increasing the incidence of depression and isolation.

In 2008, the Meals on Wheels Association of America Foundation commissioned a study titled "The Causes, Consequences and Future of Senior Hunger in America." In 2009, they conducted a follow-up to that report titled "Senior Hunger in the United States: Differences across States and Rural and Urban Areas."

The studies found that nearly 6 million seniors faced the threat of hunger, and 11.4 percent of all seniors experienced some form of food insecurity. Most significantly, North Carolina is in the top 10 list of states where seniors are at risk.

If we don't take action to address this issue, it is estimated that by 2025 in America, 9.5 million seniors will experience food insecurity.

Meals on Wheels of Durham and the Durham Center for Senior Life are working to address this problem. Each week Meals on Wheels delivers more than 1,550 hot meals to homebound seniors. Meals on Wheels also delivers bag lunches for the weekend. In addition to its meal program at four senior centers, the Durham Center for Senior Life has created a food pantry to provide assistance to older adults

During October - Hunger Awareness Month - we can raise awareness. Start a food drive in your church, neighborhood or workplace. Make a donation to a nonprofit organization that addresses hunger. Volunteer your time and skills at one of these nonprofits. And lastly encourage the businesses you patronize and your elected officials to develop public-private partnerships designed to reduce older adult hunger and food insecurity in your community.

Gail Souare

Executive director

Durham Center for Senior Life

Gale Singer Adland

Executive director

Meals on Wheels of Durham