Haynes-Maslow receives Humana Foundation grant to study meal-delivery program for seniors

December 8, 2023

Dr. Lindsey Haynes-Maslow

Lindsey Haynes-Maslow, PhD, MHA, associate professor of health policy and management and adjunct assistant professor of nutrition at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, is the recent recipient of a $250,000 health equity research grant from the Humana Foundation.

The grant will support her work to study a program that delivers meals to low-income senior citizens in their homes during a 12-week period. The program also provides seniors with social-connectedness programs to address mental and physical health.

“Food is an integral part of society,” said Haynes-Maslow. “It is one of the most basic human needs we require to physically thrive, but it also fulfills our social needs. Food brings people together. It is a uniter and a conversation starter. This grant is an opportunity to examine how we can nourish socially isolated seniors’ physical and mental health.”

“Dr. Lindsey Haynes-Maslow has a strong history of conducting high-impact research at the intersection of public health and nutrition,” said Kristin Reiter, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Health Policy and Management. “I am delighted that the Humana Foundation has selected her for this award. Their support of her work will improve lives for seniors in North Carolina and beyond.”

The award is part of a larger series of grants from Humana to academic partners, including UNC-Chapel Hill, the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and Yale University, in support of the foundation’s health equity strategy. An award to the UNC School of Social Work will support the research of Paul Lanier, PhD, who will recruit and deploy peer leaders to improve high school suicide prevention programs.

The Humana Foundation’s research grants are currently open by invitation only. Organizations interested in connecting with the Foundation to discuss research opportunities should visit humanafoundation.org and complete this form.

About the Humana Foundation

The Humana Foundation was established in 1981 as the philanthropic arm of Humana Inc. and is focused on health equity, working to eliminate unjust, avoidable and unnecessary barriers in health and healthcare. The Foundation fosters evidence-based collaborations and investments that help people in underserved communities live connected, healthy lives. As a steward of good health, the Foundation creates healthy emotional connections for people and communities and is shaping a healthier approach to nutrition to support lifelong well-being. For more information, visit humanafoundation.org.

Read the full press release from the Humana Foundation.

Contact the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health communications team at sphcomm@unc.edu.