In response to Arkansas' high levels of food insecurity, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders recently signed Executive Order 24-18, calling for an intensive review of policies that may hinder efforts to alleviate hunger in our state.

With Arkansas ranked as the most food-insecure state in the nation--where one in five Arkansans and one in four children struggle with hunger--the need for comprehensive solutions has never been more pressing.

Food insecurity is defined as a lack of consistent access to food that is safe, adequate, culturally appropriate and nutritious. It can be a temporary situation for a household, or it could last a long time. In Arkansas, there are numerous food deserts, or areas without adequate local access to healthy foods.

At the UAMS Institute for Community Health Innovation, we're actively addressing this issue through targeted, community-centered initiatives designed to increase food access and improve nutritional health for vulnerable populations across the state.

Our work to address food insecurity began more than 10 years ago, as we partnered with food pantries, churches and community meal programs to reduce sodium and combat high blood pressure, diabetes and other heart-health issues among northwest Arkansas populations. Today, we're in more than 100 schools and partner with providers and organizations across the state to help Arkansans everywhere access nutritious foods.

From delivering nutritious, medically tailored food boxes to diabetes patients or helping pantries establish new charitable food systems that accommodate their clients' schedules, to working with schools to provide nutritious options and education to students and parents so they can make healthy food choices, we remain committed to working alongside community partners to bridge the gap for those facing food insecurity.

We're also dedicated to supporting maternal nutrition with projects that deliver healthy foods directly to pregnant women. By providing nutritious options to expecting mothers, we aim to improve health outcomes for both mothers and their babies, addressing food insecurity as a critical factor in long-term health and well-being.

We commend the governor for taking decisive action to address food insecurity, and we look forward to partnering with her administration and other stakeholders to create impactful, sustainable change. The executive order strengthens the framework for collaboration and aims to streamline efforts to reduce food insecurity statewide. By reducing regulatory obstacles and enhancing agency cooperation, this order offers new opportunities to scale our initiatives and drive lasting impact.

We're committed to working with state leaders, community organizations and local health advocates to ensure that every Arkansan has access to the food they need to thrive. Together, we can build healthier, more resilient communities.

Pearl A. McElfish, Ph.D., MBA, is the founding director of the Institute for Community Health Innovation at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She is a national and international leader in rural health and health equity research and methodological research related to the best methods for conducting community-based participatory research and disseminating research results to participants and communities.