Food Insecurity and Health Disparities

Author: Tolulope Adebile

Published on: 11/29/2024

 

Food security—a necessity for a healthy and well-nourished population—has become a pressing public health concern, as it is linked to an increased risk of chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and diabetes. It is prevalent in underdeveloped nations, conflict zones, and among refugees. In the United States, over 15 million households, particularly those with children, single parents, incomes below the poverty threshold, and Black or Hispanic households, face food insecurity.

Although food insecurity rates remained relatively stable between 2019 and 2021, disparities have widened significantly. Black and Hispanic households report food insecurity rates double those of White households, with gaps of 12–13%, which far outweigh the minor 0.3% overall rate change recorded between 2021 and 2022. Food insecurity is also increasing among American Indian and Alaska Native populations, with rates exceeding a 20% change over past decades.

Other disproportionately affected populations include individuals with disabilities and the LGBTQ+ community. In 2022, approximately 37% of households with an adult with a disability experienced food insecurity, compared to 10% in households without disabilities. Among LGBTQ+ adults, about 13% reported food insufficiency in 2021—defined as insufficient food over seven days—compared to 8% of non-LGBTQ+ adults, with higher rates observed among transgender individuals and racial and ethnic minorities within the community.

The rise in food insecurity can be attributed to several factors, including the withdrawal of COVID-19-related federal safety net boosts. These include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) emergency allotments (ended February 2023), the universal free school meals program (ended June 2022), and the expanded Child Tax Credit (ended late 2021). Additionally, rising food prices have exacerbated the issue.

In response, several states have reinstated food support programs, such as expanding SNAP benefits and reintroducing free school meal initiatives. Sustainable strategies, including promoting home gardens, constructing greenhouses, and utilizing genetically modified foods, are also being explored to reduce food prices and improve food access.

Food insecurity is a glaring indicator of social and economic injustice. Addressing this issue is not only a moral imperative but a critical step toward achieving health equity. This requires bold and innovative policy reforms, alongside a commitment to dismantling structural barriers that perpetuate inequality. Only through collective action can we ensure a healthier and more equitable society.

Bibliography

 

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