Food Insecurity and HIV/AIDS: Why Nutrition Support Is Critical for Wellness in Hawaiʻi

Nourishment Is Healthcare, Especially for People Living With HIV/AIDS

Food insecurity is a growing concern across Hawaiʻi, where high living costs and limited resources make daily nourishment a challenge for many. For individuals living with HIV/AIDS, the impact of food insecurity is even more profound. At Gregory House Programs, we believe that food is medicine, an essential part of supporting wellness, dignity, and long-term stability.

How Food Insecurity Affects People Living With HIV/AIDS

Food insecurity doesn’t just mean missing meals. It affects physical health, mental wellbeing, and the ability to maintain treatment routines. For people living with HIV/AIDS, nutrition plays an especially important role in maintaining immune function and staying well.

Without consistent access to nutritious food, individuals may face:

  • Weakened immune systems, making it harder to fight infection
  • Complications with HIV medications that require food to work properly
  • Increased stress and anxiety caused by unstable access to meals
  • Difficulty maintaining the energy needed for work, self-care, and medical appointments

Reliable nutrition is foundational to wellness, just like housing, medication, and supportive care.

The Role of Nutrition in HIV Treatment

Many HIV medications work best when taken with food, and some can even cause nausea or discomfort if taken on an empty stomach. Without access to proper meals, maintaining treatment becomes significantly harder.

Nutrition also supports:

  • Healthy weight maintenance and muscle preservation
  • Improved digestion and nutrient absorption
  • Reduced inflammation and better overall immune health
  • Stable energy levels needed for daily activities

For people living with HIV/AIDS, food is not optional. It is part of the treatment plan.

How Save the FoodBasket Supports Hawaiʻi’s Most Vulnerable

Our Save the FoodBasket program exists to ensure that no one in our community goes without nourishment. At Gregory House Programs, we provide reliable access to food, connection, and care through:

  • Hot, nutritious lunches served with aloha
  • Weekly groceries that include fresh produce and pantry staples
  • Toiletries and personal care items for everyday dignity
  • Home-delivered meals for homebound clients who cannot travel

These services help ensure treatment success, reduce hospitalizations, and improve quality of life. They also show our clients that they are not alone.

Food Insecurity in Hawaiʻi: A Community Challenge

With some of the highest food costs in the country, many households across Oʻahu struggle to maintain consistent access to healthy meals. For individuals living with HIV/AIDS, who often face additional financial and medical challenges, the risk of food insecurity is significantly higher.

That’s why our work extends beyond nutrition. We help connect clients to housing support, case management, and emergency resources to stabilize all areas of life.

How You Can Support Nutrition and Wellness in Hawaiʻi

Your support helps us deliver meals, groceries, and compassion to those who need it most. By donating, volunteering, or sharing our mission, you become part of the safety net that keeps our community strong.

Together, we can ensure that no one living with HIV/AIDS in Hawaiʻi has to choose between medication and meals.

Learn more or support our mission at www.gregoryhouse.org.