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Gray VB, Cuite C, Patton-López M, Richards R, Savoie-Roskos M, Machado S, Heying E, Landry M, Chen S, Hagedorn-Hatfield RL, Mann G, Qamar Z, OoNorasak K, Zigmont VA. Food Insecurity Knowledge and Training Among College Students in Health Majors. JOURNAL OF NUTRITION EDUCATION AND BEHAVIOR 2024:S1499-4046(24)00420-2. [PMID: 39320297 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2024.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/26/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe current food insecurity (FI)-related training among nutrition/dietetics, public health, and social work students. METHODS A cross-sectional online survey was used among students (n = 306) enrolled in health-related programs at 12 US universities. Participants reported FI-related course-based and extracurricular experiences and rated confidence to address FI on a scale of 1-3. Open-ended questions investigated perceived definitions of FI and impactful course activities. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used for data analysis. RESULTS Participants' FI definitions were multifaceted. Most (80.6%) reported FI being covered in at least 1 course. The overall mean confidence to address FI was 2.2 ± 0.48. Participants suggested increasing application-based opportunities and skills training. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Most students have a basic understanding of FI and report high confidence to address it in the future. Impactful FI-related experiences and participants' suggestions guide developing an FI training resource to enhance student FI competency and sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia B Gray
- Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, CA.
| | - Cara Cuite
- Department of Human Ecology, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
| | - Megan Patton-López
- School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA
| | - Rickelle Richards
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
| | - Mateja Savoie-Roskos
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Science, Utah State University, Logan, UT
| | - Stephanie Machado
- Department of Public Health and Health Services Administration, California State University, Chico, CA
| | - Emily Heying
- Department of Nutrition, College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University, Saint Joseph, MN
| | - Matthew Landry
- Stanford Prevention Research Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | - Susan Chen
- Department of Nutrition, Food Science, and Packaging, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
| | | | - Georgianna Mann
- Department of Nutrition and Hospitality Management, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS
| | - Zubaida Qamar
- Department of Family, Interiors, Nutrition, and Apparel, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA
| | - Kendra OoNorasak
- Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
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Hao S, Quinn AW, Iasiello JA, Lea CS, Popowicz P, Fu Y, Irish W, Parikh AA, Snyder RA. Correlation of Patient-Reported Social Determinants of Health With Census Tract Measures of Socioeconomic Disadvantage in Patients With GI Cancers in Eastern North Carolina. JCO Oncol Pract 2024; 20:1280-1288. [PMID: 38759124 DOI: 10.1200/op.23.00703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Investigating the impact of social determinants of health (SDOHs) on cancer care in large populations relies on census estimates. Routine clinic SDOH screening provides timely patient-level information which could inform best practices. This study evaluated the correlation between patient-reported SDOH needs and population-level census tract measures. METHODS This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of a cohort of adult patients with GI malignancy screened for SDOHs such as financial insecurity, transportation, and food insecurity during initial outpatient evaluation at East Carolina University (formerly Vidant) Health Medical Center in Greenville, NC (November 2020-July 2021). Primary outcomes included number and severity of identified SDOH needs and area deprivation index (ADI) and census tract measures for each patient. Spearman rank correlations were calculated among patient-level needs and between patient-level needs and similar census tract measures. RESULTS Of 112 patients screened, 58.9% self-identified as White (n = 66) and 41.1% as Black (n = 46). A total of 50.5% (n = 54) resided in a rural county. The collective median state ADI rank was 7 (IQR, 5-9). The median household income was $38,125 in US dollars (USD) (IQR, $31,436-$48,934 [USD]). Only 12.5% (n = 14) reported a moderate or severe financial need. Among reported needs, financial need moderately correlated with food insecurity (coefficient, 0.46; P < .001) and transportation (coefficient, 0.45; P < .001). Overall, census tract measures and reported needs poorly correlated. Lack of transportation correlated with percentage of households without a vehicle (coefficient, 0.18; P = .03) and limited access to healthy foods (coefficient, 0.18; P = .04). CONCLUSION Given the poor correlation between reported and census needs, population-level measures may not accurately predict patient-reported needs. These findings highlight the importance of SDOH screening in the clinical setting to reduce health disparities and identify opportunities to improve care delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scarlett Hao
- Department of Surgery, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
| | - Ashley W Quinn
- Department of Surgery, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
| | - John A Iasiello
- Department of Surgery, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
| | - C Suzanne Lea
- Department of Public Health, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
| | - Patrycja Popowicz
- Department of Surgery, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
| | - Yuanyuan Fu
- Department of Surgery, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
| | - William Irish
- Department of Surgery, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
- Department of Public Health, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
| | - Alexander A Parikh
- Department of Surgery, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
- Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
| | - Rebecca A Snyder
- Department of Surgery, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
- Division of Surgery, Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
- Department of Health Services Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
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Brady PJ, Berry KM, Widome R, Valluri S, Laska MN. SNAP Emergency Allotments, Emergency Rent Assistance, Rent Burden, and Housing and Food Security, June 2022-May 2023. Prev Chronic Dis 2024; 21:E66. [PMID: 39208385 PMCID: PMC11364281 DOI: 10.5888/pcd21.240121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction During the COVID-19 pandemic, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) emergency allotments and emergency rent assistance provided support to low-income households. Rent burden, a form of housing insecurity, can severely limit household resources, which, in turn, affects health equity. We explored whether these policy interventions equitably supported households that were or were not experiencing rent burden. Methods We used data from the US Household Pulse Survey (June 2022-May 2023) to examine whether associations between emergency support policies and indicators of food and housing security differed according to household rent burden status. We modeled each outcome (food sufficiency or being current on rent) as a function of policy exposure (SNAP emergency allotments or emergency rent assistance), rent burden, and their interaction. We included demographic characteristics, state of residence, and survey cycle as covariates. We modeled each outcome and policy exposure combination separately. Results Receiving emergency allotments (72.4% vs 67.2% for SNAP participants in states with and without emergency allotments, respectively) and emergency rent assistance (64.5% vs 57.6% for households that received and were waitlisted/denied assistance, respectively) were associated with greater food sufficiency. The relationship between emergency allotments and food sufficiency was stronger in rent-burdened households; however, emergency rent assistance supported food sufficiency to a greater extent in non-rent-burdened households. Emergency rent assistance supported households in being current on rent (78.7% vs 56.4% for households that received and were waitlisted/denied assistance, respectively) and supported being current on rent to a greater extent in non-rent-burdened households than in rent-burdened households. Conclusion The relationship between emergency support policies and food or housing security differed according to whether households were experiencing rent burden. Associations were sometimes stronger in less economically constrained conditions. These results indicate an opportunity to better design policies to support low-income households, address food and housing security, and ultimately decrease the prevalence of chronic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick J Brady
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Ste 300, West Bank Office Bldg, 1300 South 2nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | - Kaitlyn M Berry
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Rachel Widome
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | | | - Melissa N Laska
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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Sanborn J, Jones HE, Manze M, Twiste T, Freudenberg N. The Cumulative Impact of Unmet Essential Needs on Indicators of Attrition: Findings from a Public University Population-Based Sample of Students in the Bronx, NY. J Urban Health 2024; 101:764-774. [PMID: 38955896 PMCID: PMC11329490 DOI: 10.1007/s11524-024-00872-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
In recent decades, a growing proportion of college students have experienced financial stress, resulting in unmet essential needs including food insecurity, housing instability, lack of healthcare access, and inadequate mental health treatment. Given that urban-based public universities constitute a substantial proportion of the US college student population, understanding how unmet needs affect academic achievement in this population is crucial for developing strategies that alleviate college failure and dropout. We examined the cumulative impact of unmet essential needs (scored from 0 to 4) on indicators of college attrition (dropout, leave of absence, risk of academic probation). The sample comprised a college population-representative sample of 1833 students attending one of three urban public colleges in the Bronx, NY. Employing adjusted multinomial and binomial logistic regression models, we assessed how total unmet essential needs predict any indicator of college attrition. Each unit increase in unmet need increased the odds of having any attrition indicator by 29% (p < 0.01). Students with two unmet needs had 43% greater odds (p < 0.01), students with three unmet needs had 57% greater odds (p < 0.01), and students with four unmet needs had 82% greater odds (p < 0.01) of having any attrition indicator compared to those without unmet needs. Findings revealed a modest dose-response relationship between the number of unmet needs and the likelihood of experiencing indicators of attrition, suggesting a cumulative impact of unmet needs on students' ability to persist to graduation. Designing interventions aimed at college students with multiple unmet essential needs, and addressing these needs holistically, may assist student retention and graduation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna Sanborn
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Heidi E Jones
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy, New York, NY, USA
| | - Meredith Manze
- Department of Community Health and Social Sciences, CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tara Twiste
- Office of Applied Research, Evaluation, and Data Analytics, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nicholas Freudenberg
- Department of Community Health and Social Sciences, CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, New York, NY, USA
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5
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Webb M, Brownell NK, Gabrielian S, Fonarow GC, Ziaeian B. Examining Heart Failure Outcomes Amid Housing Insecurity. J Card Fail 2024:S1071-9164(24)00227-6. [PMID: 38971296 DOI: 10.1016/j.cardfail.2024.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND How housing insecurity might affect patients with heart failure (HF) is not well characterized. Housing insecurity increases risks related to both communicable and noncommunicable diseases. For patients with HF, housing insecurity is likely to increase the risk for worse outcomes and rehospitalizations. METHODS AND RESULTS We analyzed hospitalizations due to HF in the United States by using the 2020 National Inpatient Sample and Nationwide Readmissions Database to evaluate the impacts of housing insecurity on HF outcomes and hospital use. Individuals were identified as having housing insecurity by using diagnostic International Classification of Disease (ICD)-10 codes. Demographics and comorbidities were compared between patients with HF with and without housing insecurity. An adjusted logistic regression was performed to evaluate the relationships between housing insecurity and socioeconomic status on in-hospital mortality. Using a Cox proportional hazards model, patients with HF and without housing insecurity were evaluated for the risk of all-cause and HF-specific readmissions over time. Of the 1,003,270 hospitalizations for HF in the U.S. in 2020, 16,150 were identified as having housing insecurity (1.6%), and 987,120 were identified as having no housing insecurity (98.4%). The median age of patients with housing insecurity who were hospitalized for HF was 57, as compared to 73 in the population with no housing insecurity. A higher proportion of patients in the housing-insecurity group were Black (35% vs 20.1%) or Hispanic (11.1% vs 7.3%). Patients with housing insecurity were more likely to carry a diagnosis of alcohol-use disorder (15.2% vs 3.3%) or substance-use disorder (70.2% vs 17.8%) but were less likely to use tobacco (18.3% vs 28.7%). Patients with housing insecurity were over 4.5 times more likely to have Medicaid (52.4% vs 11.3%). Median length of stay did not differ between patients with housing insecurity vs those without it. Patients with housing insecurity were more likely to discharge against medical advice (11.4% vs 2.03%). After adjusting for patients' characteristics, housing insecurity was associated with lower in-hospital mortality rates (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.39-0.92). Housing insecurity was associated with a higher risk of all-cause readmissions at 180 days (HR 1.13, 95% CI 1.12-1.14). However, there was no significant difference in the risk of HF-specific readmissions at 180 days (HR 1.07, 95% CI 0.998-1.14) CONCLUSIONS: Patients with HF and housing insecurity have distinct demographic characteristics. They are also more likely to be readmitted after their initial hospitalization when compared to those without housing insecurity. Identifying and addressing specific comorbid conditions for patients with housing insecurity who are hospitalized for HF may allow clinicians to provide more focused care, with the goal of preventing morbidity, mortality and unnecessary readmissions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martine Webb
- Department of Internal Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA.
| | - Nicholas K Brownell
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Sonya Gabrielian
- Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA; VA Health Service Research and Development Center for the Study of Healthcare Innovation, Implementation, and Policy, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Gregg C Fonarow
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Boback Ziaeian
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA; VA Health Service Research and Development Center for the Study of Healthcare Innovation, Implementation, and Policy, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA
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6
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Owens CE, Cook M, Reasoner T, McLean A, Webb Girard A. Engagement in a pilot produce prescription program in rural and urban counties in the Southeast United States. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1390737. [PMID: 38915750 PMCID: PMC11195530 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1390737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction In the United States, over one in every ten households experiences food insecurity. Food insecurity is associated with often co-occurring adverse health consequences, including risk for obesity, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. Within the "Food is Medicine" intervention space, Produce Prescription Programs (PRx) seek to alleviate food insecurity and improve diet and health outcomes by leveraging access to produce through healthcare organizations. Though these programs are burgeoning across the United States, research surrounding their implementation and outreach is limited. Methods This study evaluates the implementation, reach, engagement, and retention of a PRx program piloted in two regions of Georgia (US) from 2020 to 2022. The study included 170 people living with one or more cardiometabolic conditions recruited from clinical sites in metropolitan and rural areas. The program provided pre-packaged produce boxes and nutrition education over six months. We examine participants' baseline demographics, food security status, dietary patterns, and loss to follow-up across contexts (metropolitan and rural). We employ regression analyses and model comparison approaches to identify the strongest predictors of loss to follow-up during the pilot period. Results In the pilot period of this program, 170 participants enrolled across rural and metropolitan sites. Of these, 100 individuals (59%) remained engaged for the six-month program. While many individuals met the target criteria of living with or at-risk of food insecurity, not all lived with low or very low food security. Metropolitan participants, males, and those with children in the household had significantly higher odds of loss to follow-up compared to rural participants, females, and those without children in the household. No other significant demographic or household differences were observed. Discussion This study demonstrates the potential of PRx programs to enhance food and nutrition security and cardiometabolic health in metropolitan and rural clinical settings. Future research should focus on addressing barriers to engagement and expanding the reach, impact, and sustainability of PRx programs across diverse contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline E. Owens
- Department of Anthropology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
- Department of Anthropology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Miranda Cook
- Laney Graduate School, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Tammy Reasoner
- Open Hand Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Urban Health Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | | | - Amy Webb Girard
- Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
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McKinney WS, Williford DN, Abbeduto L, Schmitt LM. The impact of social-environmental factors on IQ in syndromic intellectual developmental disabilities. J Clin Transl Sci 2024; 8:e59. [PMID: 38655457 PMCID: PMC11036438 DOI: 10.1017/cts.2024.510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite having the same underlying genetic etiology, individuals with the same syndromic form of intellectual developmental disability (IDD) show a large degree of interindividual differences in cognition and IQ. Research indicates that up to 80% of the variation in IQ scores among individuals with syndromic IDDs is attributable to nongenetic effects, including social-environmental factors. In this narrative review, we summarize evidence of the influence that factors related to economic stability (focused on due to its prevalence in existing literature) have on IQ in individuals with syndromic IDDs. We also highlight the pathways through which economic stability is hypothesized to impact cognitive development and drive individual differences in IQ among individuals with syndromic IDDs. We also identify broader social-environmental factors (e.g., social determinants of health) that warrant consideration in future research, but that have not yet been explored in syndromic IDDs. We conclude by making recommendations to address the urgent need for further research into other salient factors associated with heterogeneity in IQ. These recommendations ultimately may shape individual- and community-level interventions and may inform systems-level public policy efforts to promote the cognitive development of and improve the lived experiences of individuals with syndromic IDDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walker S. McKinney
- Department of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology,
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center,
Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Desireé N. Williford
- Department of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology,
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center,
Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of
Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Leonard Abbeduto
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis,
Sacramento, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University
of California Davis, Sacramento, CA,
USA
| | - Lauren M. Schmitt
- Department of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology,
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center,
Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of
Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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Al-Amin NS, McBryde-Redzovic A, Gutierrez-Kapheim M, Mitchell UA. COVID-Related Stressors and Psychological Distress Among Chicago Residents: the Moderating Role of Race. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2024; 11:598-610. [PMID: 36877378 PMCID: PMC9987389 DOI: 10.1007/s40615-023-01544-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Racial and ethnic minorities have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and have experienced greater financial loss, housing instability, and food insecurity due to COVID-related restrictions. As a result, Black and Hispanic communities may be at greater risk of experiencing psychological distress (PD). METHODS Using data collected between October 2020 and January 2021from 906 Black (39%), White (50%), and Hispanic (11%) adults, we assessed racial/ethnic differences in the effect of three COVID-related stressors-employment stress, housing instability, and food insecurity-on PD using ordinary least square regression. RESULTS Black adults reported lower PD levels compared to White adults (β = - 0.23, P < 0.001), but Hispanic adults did not differ significantly from White adults. COVID-related housing instability (β = 0.46, P < 0.001), food insecurity (β = 0.27, P < 0.001), and employment stress (β = 0.29, P < 0.001) were associated with higher PD. Employment stress was the only stressor to differentially affect PD by race/ethnicity. Among those that reported employment stress, Black adults had lower levels of distress compared to Whites (β = - 0.54, P < 0.001) and Hispanics (β = - 0.04, P = 0.85). CONCLUSION Despite relatively high exposure to COVID-related stressors, Black respondents had lower levels of PD compared to Whites and Hispanics which may reflect differences in race-specific coping mechanisms. Future research is needed to elucidate the nuances of these relationships and identify policies and interventions that prevent and minimize the impact of employment, food, and housing-related stressors and support coping mechanisms that promote mental health among minority populations, such as policies that support easier access to mental health and financial and housing assistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia S Al-Amin
- School of Public Health, Community Health Sciences Division, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Aminah McBryde-Redzovic
- School of Public Health, Community Health Sciences Division, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Melissa Gutierrez-Kapheim
- School of Public Health, Community Health Sciences Division, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Uchechi A Mitchell
- School of Public Health, Community Health Sciences Division, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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Kassa G, Batchelder A, Gross D. Prevalence and determinants of postpartum depression among adolescent and adult mothers in Northwest Ethiopia. Res Nurs Health 2024; 47:125-140. [PMID: 38095115 DOI: 10.1002/nur.22362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common mental health issue in resource-limited settings that negatively affects the well-being of mothers and children. However, PPD often remains untreated, leading to long-term consequences for families. Therefore, we examined the prevalence and determinants of PPD among adolescent and adult mothers in northwest Ethiopia. Data were collected from 374 adolescent (10-19 years) and 760 adult (20-34 years) mothers 6 weeks after childbirth. Data were analyzed using binary and multiple logistic regression. Adolescent mothers had a significantly higher proportion of PPD (37.4%) than adult mothers (20.1%) and were more likely to report low self-esteem (13.1% vs. 8.2%) and low social support (28.3% vs. 23.3%). Factors associated with PPD differed between adolescent and adult mothers. Adolescent mothers with PPD were more likely to report household food insecurity, low self-esteem, low knowledge of postpartum complications, and working in agriculture or professional/technical occupations. For adult mothers, factors associated with PPD included distance to the nearest health facility, medium social support, inadequate dietary diversity, and food insecurity. Results suggest that targeted interventions by age group are needed to reduce the burden of PPD in Ethiopia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Getachew Kassa
- School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Anne Batchelder
- School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Deborah Gross
- School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Cypel YS, Maguen S, Bernhard PA, Culpepper WJ, Schneiderman AI. Prevalence and Correlates of Food and/or Housing Instability among Men and Women Post-9/11 US Veterans. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:356. [PMID: 38541355 PMCID: PMC10970277 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21030356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Food and/or housing instability (FHI) has been minimally examined in post-9/11 US veterans. A randomly selected nationally representative sample of men and women veterans (n = 38,633) from the post-9/11 US veteran population were mailed invitation letters to complete a survey on health and well-being. Principal component analysis and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify FHI's key constructs and correlates for 15,166 men and women respondents (9524 men, 5642 women). One-third of veterans reported FHI; it was significantly more likely among women than men (crude odds ratio = 1.31, 95% CI:1.21-1.41) and most prevalent post-service (64.2%). "Mental Health/Stress/Trauma", "Physical Health", and "Substance Use" were FHI's major constructs. In both sexes, significant adjusted associations (p < 0.01) were found between FHI and homelessness, depression, adverse childhood experiences, low social support, being enlisted, being non-deployed, living with seriously ill/disabled person(s), and living in dangerous neighborhoods. In men only, posttraumatic stress disorder (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.37, 95% CI:1.14-1.64), cholesterol level (elevated versus normal, AOR = 0.79, 95% CI:0.67-0.92), hypertension (AOR = 1.25, 95% CI:1.07-1.47), and illegal/street drug use (AOR = 1.28, 95% CI:1.10-1.49) were significant (p < 0.01). In women only, morbid obesity (AOR = 1.90, 95%CI:1.05-3.42) and diabetes (AOR = 1.53, 95% CI:1.06-2.20) were significant (p < 0.05). Interventions are needed that jointly target adverse food and housing, especially for post-9/11 veteran women and enlisted personnel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmin S. Cypel
- Health Outcomes Military Exposures, Epidemiology Program, Office of Patient Care Services, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC 20420, USA; (P.A.B.); (W.J.C.); (A.I.S.)
| | - Shira Maguen
- San Francisco VA Health Care System, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA;
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California—San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Paul A. Bernhard
- Health Outcomes Military Exposures, Epidemiology Program, Office of Patient Care Services, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC 20420, USA; (P.A.B.); (W.J.C.); (A.I.S.)
| | - William J. Culpepper
- Health Outcomes Military Exposures, Epidemiology Program, Office of Patient Care Services, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC 20420, USA; (P.A.B.); (W.J.C.); (A.I.S.)
| | - Aaron I. Schneiderman
- Health Outcomes Military Exposures, Epidemiology Program, Office of Patient Care Services, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC 20420, USA; (P.A.B.); (W.J.C.); (A.I.S.)
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11
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Reesor-Oyer L, Marshall AN, Hernandez DC. Examination of co-parenting support and parenting stress as mediators of the food insecurity-maternal depression/anxiety relationship. J Affect Disord 2023; 341:96-103. [PMID: 37625705 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.08.094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Identifying family environment factors related to food insecurity and maternal mental health could inform additional support for mothers who experience food insecurity. This study seeks to examine the mechanistic roles of co-parenting support and parenting stress on the food insecurity-maternal mental health relationship. METHODS Data from the Future of Families and Child Well-being Study, which recruited mothers post-delivery from 75 urban hospitals, was utilized. Analysis includes 1808 mothers followed for 15 years. Food insecurity was assessed at year 5, co-parenting support and parenting stress at year 9, and maternal depression and anxiety at year 15. Structural equation models evaluated the role of food insecurity on maternal depression (model 1) and anxiety (model 2) through co-parenting support and parenting stress simultaneously, adjusting for socio-demographics. RESULTS Co-parenting support did not mediate the relationships of food insecurity and maternal depression and anxiety, controlling for parenting stress. Controlling for co-parenting support, parenting stress did not mediate the food insecurity-maternal depression relationship, but partially mediated the food insecurity-maternal anxiety relationship (specific indirect: B = 0.026, CI:0.01, 0.05; specific direct: B = 0.131, CI:-0.04, 0.32). LIMITATIONS There was a significant period of time (10 years) between assessment of food insecurity and assessment of maternal mental health. Self-reported data on sensitive topics may be susceptible to bias. With observational research, it is possible that unobserved confounding variables impact the findings. CONCLUSIONS Cumulative support in the form of - parenting, economic (e.g., utilities), and food - may help reduce parenting stress and anxiety among mothers who experience food insecurity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Layton Reesor-Oyer
- Department of Health Education & Behavior, University of Florida, Gainesville, PO Box 118210, Gainesville, FL 32611-8210, USA.
| | - Allison N Marshall
- Cizik School of Nursing, University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston, 6901 Bertner Avenue, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Daphne C Hernandez
- Cizik School of Nursing, University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston, 6901 Bertner Avenue, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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12
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Owens C, Cook M, Goetz J, Marshburn L, Taylor K, Schmidt S, Bussey-Jones J, Chakkalakal RJ. Food is medicine intervention shows promise for engaging patients attending a safety-net hospital in the Southeast United States. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1251912. [PMID: 37905239 PMCID: PMC10613492 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1251912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Public health organizations, including the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the American Hospital Association, recognize the importance of achieving food and nutrition security to improve health outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and advance health equity. In response, federal, state, and private agencies are increasingly seeking to fund healthcare-based interventions to address food insecurity among patients. Simultaneously, nutrition-based interventions targeting chronic diseases have grown across the United States as part of the broader "Food is Medicine" movement. Few studies have examined the successes, challenges, and limitations of such efforts. As Food is Medicine programs continue to expand, identifying common approaches, metrics, and outcomes will be imperative for ensuring program success, replicability, and sustainability. Beginning in 2020, the Food as Medicine (FAM) program, a multipronged, collaborative intervention at Grady Health System has sought to combat food insecurity and improve patient health by leveraging community resources, expertise, and existing partnerships. Using this program as a case study, we (1) outline the collaborative development of the FAM program; (2) describe and characterize patient engagement in the initial 2 years; and (3) summarize strengths and lessons learned for future hospital-based food and nutrition programming. As this case study illustrates, the Food as Medicine program provides a novel model for building health equity through food within healthcare organizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Owens
- Department of Anthropology, College of Arts and Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Anthropology, College of Arts and Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | | | - Joy Goetz
- Atlanta Community Food Bank, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | | | | | - Stacie Schmidt
- Grady Health System, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jada Bussey-Jones
- Grady Health System, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Rosette J. Chakkalakal
- Grady Health System, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
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13
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Denary W, Fenelon A, Whittaker S, Esserman D, Lipska KJ, Keene DE. Rental assistance improves food security and nutrition: An analysis of National Survey Data. Prev Med 2023; 169:107453. [PMID: 36813247 PMCID: PMC10037672 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2023.107453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
The U.S. is experiencing a severe housing affordability crisis, resulting in households having to make difficult trade-offs between paying for a place to live and basic health necessities such as food. Rental assistance may mitigate these strains, improving food security and nutrition. However, only one in five eligible individuals receive assistance, with an average wait time of two years. Existing waitlists create a comparable control group, allowing us to examine the causal impact of improved housing access on health and well-being. This national quasi-experimental study utilizes linked NHANES-HUD data (1999-2016) to investigate the impacts of rental assistance on food security and nutrition using cross-sectional regression. Tenants with project-based assistance were less likely to experience food insecurity (B = -0.18, p = 0.02) and rent-assisted individuals consumed 0.23 more cups of daily fruits and vegetables compared the pseudo-waitlist group. These findings suggest that the current unmet need for rental assistance and resulting long waitlists have adverse health implications, including decreased food security and fruit and vegetable consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Whitney Denary
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Andrew Fenelon
- School of Public Policy and Department of Sociology and Criminology, Penn State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Shannon Whittaker
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Denise Esserman
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Kasia J Lipska
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Danya E Keene
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
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14
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Rosinger AY, Bethancourt HJ, Young SL. Tap Water Avoidance Is Associated with Lower Food Security in the United States: Evidence from NHANES 2005-2018. J Acad Nutr Diet 2023; 123:29-40.e3. [PMID: 35872245 PMCID: PMC10119945 DOI: 10.1016/j.jand.2022.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Food insecurity has profound nutritional and public health consequences. Water insecurity may exacerbate food insecurity, yet little is known about the association between water and food insecurity in the United States or other high-income countries. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to estimate how tap water avoidance, a proxy of water insecurity, covaries with food insecurity; examine how the probability of food insecurity changed by tap water avoidance between 2005 and 2018; and test how the association between tap water avoidance and food insecurity differed across income and housing statuses. DESIGN This was a secondary analysis of the cross-sectional 2005-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. PARTICIPANTS/SETTING Participants were 31,390 US adults 20 years and older. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The main outcome was food insecurity, using the US Food Security Survey Module. STATISTICAL ANALYSES Adjusted logistic regression models estimated how tap water avoidance was associated with the odds of food insecurity. Predicted probabilities of food insecurity over time and by income and housing status were plotted using marginal standardization. RESULTS Adults who avoided tap water had 21% higher odds (95% CI 1.09 to 1.34) of food insecurity compared with those who drank tap water. The probability of any food insecurity doubled between 2005-2006 and 2017-2018 and was consistently higher for tap water avoiders. Food insecurity decreased across both tap water drinkers and avoiders as income increased, but was higher among tap water avoiders at all income levels. Likewise, food insecurity was higher among renters than among homeowners but was higher among tap water avoiders in both housing groups. CONCLUSIONS Tap water avoidance is positively associated with food insecurity in the United States, and both insecurities have increased over time. Efforts to mitigate food insecurity should simultaneously address water insecurity issues, including tap water availability and quality, as these may be a modifiable contributors to food insecurity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asher Y Rosinger
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA; Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA.
| | - Hilary J Bethancourt
- Department of Anthropology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL; Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, Evanston IL
| | - Sera L Young
- Department of Anthropology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL; Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, Evanston IL
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15
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Examining the effects of social and cash transfer programs for homeless adults: Evidence from the Samaritan pilot. PUBLIC HEALTH IN PRACTICE 2022; 4:100331. [PMID: 36324635 PMCID: PMC9619368 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhip.2022.100331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To conduct a program evaluation of a technology-based intervention for a housing insecure population. Study design We conduct a quantitative analysis of Samaritan pilot administrative records. Methods Samaritan conducted an initial single-arm pilot of their technology platform among a housing insecure population (N = 500). Administrative records containing basic demographics and social determinants of health were analyzed as part of this evaluation. Results Our analysis revealed that among the participants, roughly 60% reported one or more improvements in unmet social determinants of health, showing the greatest improvements in the areas of utilities and nutrition. A gender subgroup analysis also revealed a differential pattern of platform use to address social determinant needs, with women more likely to report improvements in housing and nutrition while men report improvements in income and hope categories. Conclusion Samaritan, a technology-based intervention targeted at housing insecure individuals, aims to connect users to the financial and social capital necessary to improve their current situations. The results of the pilot demonstrate the potential role the Samaritan platform could play in addressing social determinant needs and insights on potentially useful technology-based intervention features for housing insecure populations.
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16
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Insolera N, Cohen A, Wolfson JA. SNAP and WIC Participation During Childhood and Food Security in Adulthood, 1984-2019. Am J Public Health 2022; 112:1498-1506. [PMID: 35981276 PMCID: PMC9480484 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2022.306967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Objectives. To examine the effects of childhood participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) on adult food security in the United States. Methods. We used data from the 1984 to 2019 waves of the Panel Study of Income Dynamics to follow a balanced panel of 1406 individuals from birth through ages 20 to 36 years. We measured food insecurity from 1999 to 2003 and 2015 to 2019 among those who resided in low-income households during childhood. Results. Twenty-eight percent of individuals who resided in low-income households during childhood exhibited improved food security status from childhood to adulthood. Those who participated in SNAP and WIC during childhood had 4.16-fold higher odds (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.91, 9.03) of being more food secure than those who were eligible for but did not receive SNAP or WIC, and those who participated in SNAP alone had 3.28-fold higher odds (95% CI = 1.56, 6.88). Conclusions. Participation in social safety net programs such as SNAP and WIC during childhood helps to improve food security across the life course. Our findings add evidence regarding the long-term benefits of participation in SNAP and WIC during childhood. (Am J Public Health. 2022;112(10):1498-1506. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2022.306967).
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Affiliation(s)
- Noura Insolera
- Noura Insolera is with the Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Alicia Cohen is with the Center of Innovation in Long Term Services and Supports, VA Providence Healthcare System; Department of Family Medicine, Alpert Medical School of Brown University; and Department of Health Services, Policy and Practice, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI. Julia A. Wolfson is with the Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, and the Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor
| | - Alicia Cohen
- Noura Insolera is with the Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Alicia Cohen is with the Center of Innovation in Long Term Services and Supports, VA Providence Healthcare System; Department of Family Medicine, Alpert Medical School of Brown University; and Department of Health Services, Policy and Practice, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI. Julia A. Wolfson is with the Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, and the Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor
| | - Julia A Wolfson
- Noura Insolera is with the Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Alicia Cohen is with the Center of Innovation in Long Term Services and Supports, VA Providence Healthcare System; Department of Family Medicine, Alpert Medical School of Brown University; and Department of Health Services, Policy and Practice, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI. Julia A. Wolfson is with the Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, and the Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor
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17
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Daundasekara SS, Schuler BR, Hernandez DC. A latent class analysis to identify socio-economic and health risk profiles among mothers of young children predicting longitudinal risk of food insecurity. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0272614. [PMID: 36001540 PMCID: PMC9401138 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of the current study was to use a social determinants of health (SDOH) framework and latent class analysis (LCA) to identify risk classes among mothers with young children. The risk classes were then used to predict food insecurity severity and stability/change of food insecurity over time. METHOD The secondary data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (n = 2,368; oversampled for non-marital births) was used in this study. Household food insecurity was assessed using the 18-items USDA Food Security Survey. A seventeen-item inventory of educational, economic stability, incarceration (i.e. social context), neighborhood safety (i.e. neighborhood and built environment), health and health care, and substance use behaviors at baseline/Year-1 were included to identify SDOH risk indicators in the LCA. Covariate-adjusted multinomial logistic regression models were used to examine the relation between risk classes at Year-1 and the severity of food insecurity at Year-3 and stability/change of food insecurity between Year-3 and Year -5. RESULTS LCA identified five risk classes: High utility and medical hardship (Class 1), high housing and employment hardship, high substance use, and incarceration (Class 2), high housing and medical hardship, poor health, and health care (Class 3), high employment hardship and low-income (Class 4) and low-risk (Class 5). The Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 had greater odds of low food security and very low food security at Year-3 compared to Class 4. In addition, compared to Class 4, Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 had greater odds unstable food insecurity and persistent food insecurity over time. CONCLUSIONS LCA could be used to identify distinctive family system risk profiles predictive of food insecurity. The generated risk profiles could be used by health care providers as an additional tool to identify families in need for resources to ensure household food security.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sajeevika Saumali Daundasekara
- Department of Research, Cizik School of Nursing, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Brittany R. Schuler
- School of Social Work, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Daphne C. Hernandez
- Department of Research, Cizik School of Nursing, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas, United States of America
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18
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Nelson E, Bangham C, Modi S, Liu X, Codner A, Milton Hicks J, Greece J. Understanding the impacts of COVID-19 on the determinants of food insecurity: A state-specific examination. Prev Med Rep 2022; 28:101871. [PMID: 35785406 PMCID: PMC9235214 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2022.101871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper examines risk factors influencing food insecurity during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in a state in the U.S. heavily impacted by it and offers recommendations for multi-sector intervention. The U.S. Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey was analyzed to evaluate the impacts of COVID-19 on food security in Massachusetts from April 2020 through March 2021 using a study sample of 57,678 participants. Food security was defined as a categorical variable (food security, marginal food security, low food security, very low food security) and binary variable (food security and food insecurity). Known or suspected factors that contribute to it, such as childcare, education, employment, housing, and transportation were examined in multivariate logistic regression models. Data imputation methods accounted for missing data. Sociodemographic characteristics, including lower education level and living in a household with children, were determinants of food insecurity. Another factor that influenced food insecurity was economic hardships, such as unemployment, being laid off due to COVID-19, not working due to concerns about contracting or spreading COVID-19, or not having enough money to buy food. A third factor influencing food insecurity was food environment, such as lack of geographic access to healthy foods. Some of these factors have been exacerbated by the pandemic and will continue to impact food security. These should be addressed through a comprehensive approach with public health efforts considering all levels of the social ecological model and the context created by the pandemic.
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19
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Parekh T, Xue H, Cheskin LJ, Cuellar AE. Food insecurity and housing instability as determinants of cardiovascular health outcomes: A systematic review. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 2022; 32:1590-1608. [PMID: 35487828 DOI: 10.1016/j.numecd.2022.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
AIMS The primary objective of this study is to conduct a systematic review of existing literature on the association between food insecurity and housing instability with CVD and its subtypes-related outcomes. Summarizing the comprehensive evidence for independent/interchangeable relationship of food and housing instability with CVD outcomes may inform specific interventions strategies to reduce CVD-risk. DATA SYNTHESIS The search focused on English-language articles in PubMed/Medline, from January 1, 2010, to June 1, 2021, with restriction to the US adult population. We included studies estimating the association between food insecurity or/and housing instability(exposure) and CVD-subtypes-related health outcomes (outcome). The study methodological quality was assessed using the Study Quality Assessment Tools (SQAT). Nineteen studies met eligibility criteria, consisted of 15 cross-sectional and 4 cohort studies. Of total studies, 7 examined housing instability, 11 studies focused on food insecurity, and one examined both. Food insecurity/housing instability was associated with increased overall CVD-mortality rate and greater healthcare cost utilization, while evidence were mixed for hospital readmission rate. By subtype, stroke mortality was greater with food insecurity but not with housing instability. The likelihood of myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease, and congestive heart failure was greater with food insecurity. Although mortality with MI was higher with housing instability, readmission and surgical procedure rates were significantly lower than housing stable adults. CONCLUSION Findings from this review suggest an urgent need to test the impact of screening for food and housing insecurities, referral services, and community engagement for CV health, within clinical and public health settings. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION Prospero CRD4202123352.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarang Parekh
- Department of Health Administration and Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | - Hong Xue
- Department of Health Administration and Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | - Lawrence J Cheskin
- Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | - Alison E Cuellar
- Department of Health Administration and Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA.
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20
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Hernandez DC, Daundasekara SS, Walton QL, Eigege CY, Marshall AN. Feasibility of Delivering an on-Campus Food Distribution Program in a Community College Setting: A Mixed Methods Sequential Explanatory Investigation. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:12106. [PMID: 34831861 PMCID: PMC8619067 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182212106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Despite community college students experiencing food insecurity there has been a dearth of research conducted on the feasibility of providing a program designed to increase access to fruits and vegetables among community colleges. This study used a mixed methods sequential explanatory design to examine the feasibility of delivering an on-campus food distribution program (FDP) to community college students and to examine the association between FDP and food insecurity and dietary intake. The study also explored the student's experiences related to barriers and facilitators of program utilization. In phase one, the FDP occurred for eight months and students could attend twice per month, receiving up to 60 pounds of food per visit. Online questionnaires were used to collect students' food security and dietary intake. Among the 1000 students offered the FDP, 495 students enrolled, with 329 students (66.5%) attending ≥ 1. Average attendance = 3.27 (SD = 3.08) [Range = 1-16] distributions. The FDP did not reduce food insecurity nor improve dietary intake. In phase two, a subsample of students (n = 36) discussed their FDP experiences through focus groups revealing three barriers limiting program utilization: program design and organization, personal schedule and transportation, and program abuse by other attendees. Facilitators to greater program utilization included: the type of food distributed and welcoming environment, along with allowing another designated individual to collect food. To maximize program use, it is suggested that reported barriers be addressed, which might positively influence food insecurity and dietary intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daphne C. Hernandez
- Cizik School of Nursing, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (S.S.D.); (A.N.M.)
| | - Sajeevika S. Daundasekara
- Cizik School of Nursing, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (S.S.D.); (A.N.M.)
| | - Quenette L. Walton
- Graduate College of Social Work, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77004, USA; (Q.L.W.); (C.Y.E.)
| | - Chinyere Y. Eigege
- Graduate College of Social Work, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77004, USA; (Q.L.W.); (C.Y.E.)
| | - Allison N. Marshall
- Cizik School of Nursing, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (S.S.D.); (A.N.M.)
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21
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Nolen E, Cubbin C, Brewer M. The effect of maternal food insecurity transitions on housing insecurity in a population-based sample of mothers of young children. AIMS Public Health 2021; 9:1-16. [PMID: 35071664 PMCID: PMC8755969 DOI: 10.3934/publichealth.2022001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies have shown a link between food insecurity and housing problems, including trouble paying rent. Additional research is needed to test the longitudinal effect of food insecurity on housing insecurity in a socio-demographically diverse, population-based sample. We tested whether food insecurity transitions predicted housing insecurity using a housing insecurity index consisting of housing and neighborhood factors. We also tested whether social cohesion or social support mediated the food/housing insecurity relationship. METHOD Data were analyzed from a sample of 2868 mothers of young children residing in California at two time points: the baseline Maternal and Infant Health Assessment (2003-2007) and follow-up Geographic Research on Wellbeing survey (2012-2013). Women were categorized as food insecure both times; became food insecure; became food secure; and food secure both times. We constructed linear regression models for housing insecurity: models regressing each variable separately; a model regressing sociodemographic covariates and food insecurity status; mediation models adding social cohesion or social support; and mediation models for each racial/ethnic group. RESULTS Food insecurity transitions were associated with housing insecurity in a gradient pattern. Compared to women who were food secure both times, housing insecurity was highest among women who were food insecure both times, followed by those who became food insecure, and then those who transitioned out of food insecurity (became food secure). Food insecurity remained a significant risk factor for housing insecurity even after adjusting sociodemographic covariates. While social support and social cohesion were negatively associated with housing insecurity, there was limited evidence that social support/cohesion mediated the food insecurity/housing insecurity relationships. CONCLUSIONS The lack of substantial mediation suggests that factors beyond social ties may explain the food and housing insecurity relationship. Efforts to reduce material hardship should consist of streamlined policy efforts that offer tangible supports for women and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Nolen
- Steve Hicks School of Social Work, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Catherine Cubbin
- Steve Hicks School of Social Work, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
- Dell Medical School, Department of Population Health, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
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22
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Daundasekara SS, Schuler BR, Hernandez DC. RETRACTED: Independent and combined associations of intimate partner violence and food insecurity on maternal depression and generalized anxiety disorder. J Anxiety Disord 2021; 81:102409. [PMID: 33932633 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2021.102409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sajeevika Saumali Daundasekara
- Department of Health, & Health Performance, University of Houston, 3875 Holman Street, Garrison Gymnasium, Room 104, Houston, TX, 77204-6015, United States.
| | - Brittany R Schuler
- School of Social Work, Temple University, Ritter Annex 549, 1301 Cecil B. Moore Ave., Philadelphia, PA, 19122, United States.
| | - Daphne C Hernandez
- University of Texas Health Science Center, Cizik School of Nursing, 6901 Bertner Avenue, Houston, TX, 77030-3901, United States.
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