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Journal of the American Psychiatric... 2023Food insecurity affects 15 million households in the United States and is associated with negative physical and mental health outcomes including Major Depressive...
BACKGROUND
Food insecurity affects 15 million households in the United States and is associated with negative physical and mental health outcomes including Major Depressive Disorder. Governmental public assistance or food benefit programs including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) are social intervention services that attempt to minimize food insecurity for low-income households. There is little consensus regarding the effects of food benefit participation on reducing risk of depressive symptoms.
AIM
This study aims to explore the association between household food insecurity and food benefit participation (SNAP or WIC) on risk for depressive symptoms using nationally representative samples from the Center for Disease and Control and Prevention Nutritional Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013-2014 and 2015-2016 cohorts. We hypothesize that food insecurity is associated with increased risk of depressive symptoms and food benefit participation with reduced risk.
METHOD
Cross-sectional analyses were conducted using survey-weighted logistic regression to explore the relationship between food insecurity, food benefit participation, and the risk of depressive symptoms controlling for relevant income and sociodemographic variables.
RESULTS
When controlling for sociodemographic variables, food benefit participation did not reduce the risk of depressive symptoms, while high levels of food insecurity were associated with elevated risk.
CONCLUSIONS
High levels of food insecurity are associated with elevated risk of depressive symptoms. Nurses and public health professionals can address food security needs through increased knowledge of referral and eligibility requirements. Implications on clinical practice, policy, and future directions for research are discussed.
Topics: Infant; Child; Humans; Female; United States; Depression; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depressive Disorder, Major; Food Supply; Food Assistance
PubMed: 33393431
DOI: 10.1177/1078390320983904 -
Federal Register Jun 2011This final rule incorporates into the regulations governing the Programs authorized under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (NSLA) and the Child Nutrition...
Cooperation in USDA studies and evaluations, and full use of federal funds in nutrition assistance programs nondiscretionary provisions of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, Public Law 111-296. Final Rule.
This final rule incorporates into the regulations governing the Programs authorized under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (NSLA) and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (CNA) two nondiscretionary provisions of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFK Act). The HHFK Act requires State and local cooperation in Department of Agriculture studies and evaluations related to Programs authorized under the NSLA and the CNA. The HHFK Act also amends the NSLA to stipulate that Federal funds must not be subject to State budget restrictions or limitations, including hiring freezes, work furloughs, and travel restrictions. This final rule amends regulations for the National School Lunch Program; the Special Milk Program for Children; the School Breakfast Program; the Summer Food Service Program; the Child and Adult Care Food Program; State Administrative Expense Funds ; the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children; and the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program. These provisions will strengthen program integrity by ensuring that sufficient data is made available for studies and evaluations. Additionally, exempting Federal funds from State budgetary restrictions or limitations is intended to increase the ability of State agencies to administer USDA's nutrition assistance programs effectively.
Topics: Adult; Child; Cooperative Behavior; Federal Government; Financing, Government; Food Services; Humans; Nutrition Policy; Public Assistance; State Government; United States; United States Department of Agriculture
PubMed: 21721318
DOI: No ID Found -
Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology Nov 2022
Topics: Humans; Infant; Poverty; United States; Public Assistance; Infant Formula
PubMed: 35830298
DOI: 10.1111/ppe.12913 -
American Journal of Public Health Jul 2019
Topics: Food Assistance; Food Supply; Humans; Nutrition Policy; Nutritional Requirements; Public Assistance; Public Health; United States
PubMed: 31166716
DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2019.305070 -
CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association... Jan 2001
Topics: Humans; Ontario; Public Assistance; Social Justice; Social Values
PubMed: 11202667
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of Managed Care & Specialty... Mar 2023Disparities in prescription abandonment may exacerbate health inequities. Whether copay assistance is associated with changes in prescription abandonment across...
Disparities in prescription abandonment may exacerbate health inequities. Whether copay assistance is associated with changes in prescription abandonment across different patient groups is unknown. To assess disparities in copay assistance use; prescription abandonment across race, ethnicity, or income; and association of copay use with prescription abandonment and whether it differs across race, ethnicity, or household income. This pooled, cross-sectional study assessed claims-level prescription data linked to a consumer database containing information on race, ethnicity, and household income for commercially insured patients. The first prescription for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or oral oncolytic medicines from 2016 to 2020 was included. Logistic regression models measured odds of copay assistance use (copay/discount cards or free-trial voucher) and prescription abandonment (prescription not filled within 30 days of health plan approval). Interaction terms for copay assistance use by race, ethnicity, and income were tested. The sample included 67,674 patients prescribed RA medications and 9,560 prescribed oral oncolytic medications. Copay assistance use across race, ethnicity, and income ranged from 28.2% to 31.1% (RA medicines) and 27.2% to 36.7% (oral oncolytic medicines). Among those prescribed RA medicines and not using copay assistance, Black/African American, Hispanic patients, and those with household incomes less than $50,000 were more likely to abandon prescriptions than White patients and patients with household incomes more than $200,000 (odds ratio [OR] [95% CI], value: Black/African American: 1.17 [1.06-1.29], < 0.01; Hispanic: 1.11 [1.01-1.22], = 0.03; income <$50,000: 1.24 [1.11-1.37], < 0.01). Among patients using oral oncolytic medicines and not using copay assistance, there was no racial or ethnic difference in prescription abandonment. Patients using oral oncolytics with household incomes less than $50,000 were more likely to use copay assistance (1.34 [1.12-1.61], < 0.01), but also more likely to abandon their prescriptions if not using copay assistance (1.44 [1.12-1.85], < 0.01). Copay assistance was associated with a 79% (RA) and 71% (oral oncolytics) lower odds of prescription abandonment (0.21 [0.19-0.24], < 0.01; 0.29 [0.24-0.36], < 0.01), which did not differ across race, ethnicity, or income levels ( > 0.05). Copay assistance has potential to narrow disparities in prescription abandonment for commercially insured Black/African American or Hispanic patients taking RA medicines and patients with household incomes less than $50,000; however, efforts to improve access to copay assistance are needed. Copay assistance, as a factor facilitating equal access to medicines, is an important consideration when evaluating policies that impact access to copay assistance programs. Genentech, Inc., provided funding and support for this study. Dr Wong is an employee of Genentech, Inc., and shareholder of Roche, Inc. Ms Donahue, Mr Thiesen, and Mr Yeaw are employees of IQVIA.
Topics: Humans; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Cross-Sectional Studies; Ethnicity; Hispanic or Latino; United States; Black or African American; White; Income; Health Expenditures; Prescription Fees; Medication Adherence; Public Assistance
PubMed: 36692908
DOI: 10.18553/jmcp.2023.22288 -
American Journal of Public Health Apr 2017To examine whether access to housing assistance is associated with better health among low-income adults.
OBJECTIVES
To examine whether access to housing assistance is associated with better health among low-income adults.
METHODS
We used National Health Interview Survey data (1999-2012) linked to US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administrative records (1999-2014) to examine differences in reported fair or poor health and psychological distress. We used multivariable models to compare those currently receiving HUD housing assistance (public housing, housing choice vouchers, and multifamily housing) with those who will receive housing assistance within 2 years (the average duration of HUD waitlists) to account for selection into HUD assistance.
RESULTS
We found reduced odds of fair or poor health for current public housing (odds ratio [OR] = 0.77; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.57, 0.97) and multifamily housing (OR = 0.75; 95% CI = 0.60, 0.95) residents compared with future residents. Public housing residents also had reduced odds of psychological distress (OR = 0.59; 95% CI = 0.40, 0.86). These differences were not mediated by neighborhood-level characteristics, and we did not find any health benefits for current housing choice voucher recipients.
CONCLUSIONS
Housing assistance is associated with improved health and psychological well-being for individuals entering public housing and multifamily housing programs.
Topics: Adult; Female; Health Status; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Poverty Areas; Public Assistance; Public Housing; Stress, Psychological; United States
PubMed: 28207335
DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2016.303649 -
California Medicine Aug 1969
Topics: Financing, Government; History, 20th Century; Public Assistance; Rehabilitation; Rehabilitation, Vocational; United States; Workforce
PubMed: 4899593
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of Environmental Management Feb 2024Understanding the dynamics between public disaster assistance, disaster damages, and social vulnerability at county-level is crucial for designing effective disaster...
Understanding the dynamics between public disaster assistance, disaster damages, and social vulnerability at county-level is crucial for designing effective disaster mitigation strategies. This study utilized the Local Bivariate Moran Index (LBMI) and geographically weighted regression (GWR) models to examine spatial patterns and relationships between disaster damages, social vulnerability, and public disaster assistance in contiguous US counties from 2001 to 2021. LBMI results reveal that public disaster assistance has predominantly been directed towards post-disaster recovery efforts, with a particular focus on coastal communities affected by major declared disasters. However, the distributions of public assistance and individual housing assistance, which are the two primary sources of public disaster assistance, do not adequately cover physically and socially vulnerable communities. The distribution of pre-disaster risk mitigation also falls short of sufficiently covering vulnerable communities. Results further indicate the complex interactions between different categories of natural disasters and public assistances. The GWR model results demonstrate spatial variations in predicting each category of public disaster assistance. These findings indicate the need to address disparities in accessing public disaster assistance in the US, and advocate for more equitable disaster mitigation strategies.
Topics: Social Vulnerability; Disasters; Housing; Public Assistance
PubMed: 38048707
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119690 -
JAMA Pediatrics Jun 2020Millions of low-income children in the United States reside in substandard or unaffordable housing. Relieving these burdens may be associated with changes in asthma...
IMPORTANCE
Millions of low-income children in the United States reside in substandard or unaffordable housing. Relieving these burdens may be associated with changes in asthma outcomes.
OBJECTIVES
To examine whether participation in the US Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) rental assistance programs is associated with childhood asthma outcomes and to examine whether associations varied by program type (public housing, multifamily housing, or housing choice vouchers).
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
This survey study used data from the nationally representative National Health Interview Survey linked to administrative housing assistance records from January 1, 1999, to December 31, 2014. A total of 2992 children aged 0 to 17 years who were currently receiving rental assistance or would enter a rental assistance program within 2 years of survey interview were included. Data analysis was performed from January 15, 2018, to August 31, 2019.
EXPOSURES
Participation in rental assistance provided by HUD.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Ever been diagnosed with asthma, 12-month history of asthma attack, and 12-month history of visiting an emergency department for the treatment of asthma among program participants vs those waiting to enter a program. Overall participation was examined, and participation in public or multifamily housing was compared with participation in housing choice vouchers.
RESULTS
This study included 2992 children who were currently participating in a HUD program or would enter a program within 2 years. Among children with an asthma attack in the past year, participation in a rental assistance program was associated with a reduced use of emergency departments for asthma of 18.2 percentage points (95% CI, -29.7 to -6.6 percentage points). Associations were only found after entrance into a program, suggesting that they were not confounded by time-varying factors. Statistically significant results were found for participation in public or multifamily housing (percentage point change, -36.6; 95% CI, -54.8 to -18.4) but not housing choice vouchers (percentage point change, -7.2; 95% CI, -24.6 to 10.3). No statistically significant evidence of changes in asthma attacks was found (percentage point change, -2.7; 95% CI, -12.3 to 7.0 percentage points). Results for asthma diagnosis were smaller and only significant at the 10% level (-4.3; 95% CI, -8.8 to 0.2 percentage points).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
Among children with a recent asthma attack, rental assistance was associated with less emergency department use. These results may have important implications for the well-being of low-income families and health care system costs.
Topics: Adolescent; Asthma; Child; Child, Preschool; Emergency Service, Hospital; Female; Health Status; Health Surveys; Humans; Infant; Male; Public Assistance; United States
PubMed: 32150240
DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2019.6242