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Sternberg CA, Richard D, Daniel VE, Chery MJ, Beauvoir M, Marcelin D, Francois A, Titus M, Mann A, Alcaide ML, Dale SK. Exploring the experiences of Haitians/Haitian Americans in Miami-Dade County, Florida during the COVID-19 pandemic: how this community coped with the public health emergency. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1364260. [PMID: 39211900 PMCID: PMC11357928 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1364260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective To explore and describe the experiences of Haitians/Haitian Americans in Miami-Dade County, Florida during the COVID-19 pandemic, including their attitudes and practices towards vaccination. Design We interviewed 15 community members and 15 stakeholders in the Haitian/Haitian American community in Miami-Dade County, Florida using a semi-structured interview guide. The qualitative interviews were conducted between February 4, 2021, and October 1, 2021. They were conducted in both English and Haitian Creole, audio recorded transcribed/translated, and coded using thematic content analysis. Results The analyses revealed 9 major themes: (1) thoughts about the pandemic, (2) concerns about the COVID-19 vaccines, (3) healthcare access, February-October 2021, (4) intrapersonal relationship dynamics, (5) thoughts about individuals diagnosed with COVID-19, (6) thoughts about prevention measures (e.g., wearing masks, hand hygiene, social distancing, vaccination), (7) mental health struggles and coping, (8) food insecurity, and (9) overall experiences of the pandemic. The findings reveal that the COVID-19 public health emergency negatively affected Haitians/Haitian Americans across several domains, including employment, healthcare access, personal relationships, and food security. Conclusion This research echoes the compounding negative experiences reported by multiple disadvantaged groups during the COVID-19 pandemic. From loss of employment to healthcare barriers, the pandemic forced many Haitians/Haitian Americans into greater economic and social instability. Interventions addressing these issues should recognize how these factors may interact and compound the experiences of this group. Health and public health agencies should work alongside community partners to build trust so that preventive efforts will be more readily accepted during public health emergencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candice A. Sternberg
- Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Danelle Richard
- Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Valerie E. Daniel
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
| | - Maurice J. Chery
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Maika Beauvoir
- Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Dora Marcelin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Aline Francois
- Family Action Network Movement, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Micaelle Titus
- Community Health and Empowerment Network, Miami, FL, United States
| | - April Mann
- College of Arts and Sciences, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
| | - Maria L. Alcaide
- Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Sannisha K. Dale
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
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Sánchez KD, Díaz Rios LK, Payán DD. Nutrition Environment Gaps and Distribution Challenges in Rural Food Pantries During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed-Methods Study. J Acad Nutr Diet 2024; 124:713-724.e4. [PMID: 38103595 DOI: 10.1016/j.jand.2023.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Food insecurity disproportionately affects low-income, racially marginalized, and rural communities. The COVID-19 pandemic led to higher demand for emergency food distribution, potentially impacting food pantry operations and services. Limited research exists assessing consumer nutrition environments of pantries in rural regions. OBJECTIVES To assess the consumer nutrition environment of rural food pantries and report challenges and adaptations encountered during the pandemic. DESIGN A mixed-methods, cross-sectional survey. PARTICIPANTS/SETTING Nineteen food pantry representatives from California's San Joaquin Valley were surveyed between August 2020 and June 2021. Representatives were eligible if their pantry served the general population and was open at least once a week. Nine were church-based pantries, and 10 were from other settings. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The Nutrition Environment Food Pantry Assessment Tool (NEFPAT) measured the nutrition food environment and scored pantries as bronze (0-15), silver (16-31), or gold (32-47) categories. Eleven items were developed to explore pandemic-related challenges. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED Independent χ2 tests assessed the relationship between the organization type and NEFPAT scores and food supply sources. Fisher's exact test explored associations between food pantry type, NEFPAT category, and challenges. Nonparametric tests were run on non-normally distributed data. Inductive content analysis was used to examine open-ended pandemic-related questions. RESULTS The nutrition environment of most pantries was suboptimal, because no pantry scored in the "gold" category based on total NEFPAT scores (median, 18 of 47). No statistically significant differences were found in the NEFPAT scores by organization type. Most pantries did not provide healthy food nudges or culturally diverse foods. Key COVID-19 challenges encountered consisted of supply- and demand-side issues, including reduced personnel, capacity, and resources, and increased client quantity and demand for food. CONCLUSIONS Assessing the nutrition environment of rural food pantries revealed gaps and strategies for improvement, including the use of healthy nudges and increasing the availability of culturally diverse foods.
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Treviño MS, Cherry KE, Njoroge WFM, Gerstein ED. Young Children's Development and Behavior: Associations with Timing of Household Food Insecurity in a Racially and Ethnically Diverse Early Head Start Sample. J Dev Behav Pediatr 2023; 44:e617-e624. [PMID: 37871284 DOI: 10.1097/dbp.0000000000001224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to assess the impact of household food insecurity (HFI) over time on behavioral and developmental health in early childhood while considering the impact of timing/persistence of HFI and potential differences among racially or ethnically minoritized children. METHODS Families from the Early Head Start Family and Child Experiences Study (N = 760) were followed longitudinally until age 3 years. Caregiver interview data were collected on HFI, problem behaviors (PBs), delays in development (DD), and sociodemographic information. Analysis of Covariances examined differences between persistent vs transient HFI. Multiple regressions examined the impact of HFI on PB and DD and whether this relation was stronger in racially or ethnically minoritized children. RESULTS The timing of HFI differentially affected PB, such that those with persistent HFI demonstrated greater PB than those with only early or only late HFI. A different pattern was identified for DD, in which those with late HFI had more DD than those with persistent HFI. Over and above other sociodemographics, including maternal risk factors and an income-to-needs ratio, HFI was associated with greater PB for children of all races and ethnicities. HFI was associated with more DD in non-Latino/a/e/x White families compared with non-Latino/a/e/x Black and Latino/a/e/x families. CONCLUSION Meaningful differences were found in how the persistence/timing of HFI is differentially associated with PB and DD. In addition, while controlling for socioeconomic risk, a cumulative risk effect was not observed in how HFI affected racially or ethnically minoritized children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica S Treviño
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri-St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
| | - Kathryn E Cherry
- Women's Behavioral Health, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, PA; and
| | - Wanjikũ F M Njoroge
- Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Emily D Gerstein
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri-St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
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Goldman-Mellor S, Plancarte V, Perez-Lua F, Payán DD, De Trinidad Young ME. Mental health among rural Latino immigrants during the COVID-19 pandemic. SSM - MENTAL HEALTH 2023; 3:100177. [PMID: 36570024 PMCID: PMC9758750 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmmh.2022.100177] [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: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The mental health of the United States' Latino population significantly deteriorated during the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic, and Latino immigrants living in rural areas faced unique vulnerabilities. However, few studies have specifically examined the mental health burden and experiences of rural Latino immigrants during the COVID pandemic. To understand the mental health experiences of first- and second-generation Latinos in rural areas, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 35 Latino residents of rural California counties during July 2020-February 2021 and screened all respondents for major depression and generalized anxiety symptoms using the Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ]-2 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder [GAD]-2 screeners. We explored the prevalence of symptoms of depression and anxiety in our sample, iteratively analyzed participants' narratives regarding the mental health impact of the pandemic, and used their mental health screener status to contextualize these narratives. Results indicated that nearly all respondents viewed mental health as a major concern, and 34% (n = 12) of respondents screened positive for major depression or generalized anxiety disorder. Respondents connected their mental health concerns to experiences of financial precarity, fear of contracting COVID-19, social isolation, and the challenges of remote schooling. Additional themes emerged around problems accessing the mental health care system, the utility of pre-pandemic mental health services, and using healthy coping mechanisms to alleviate psychological problems. Respondents' narratives tended to focus on the mental health challenges facing their family members, particularly their children. Our findings suggest that mental health intervention models that engage with multiple family members, policies that support infrastructure for encouraging exercise and outdoor activity, and ensuring access to culturally and linguistically appropriate mental health care for Latino communities may be important for protecting population mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sidra Goldman-Mellor
- Department of Public Health, University of California, 5200 N. Lake Rd., Merced, Merced, CA, 95343, USA,Health Sciences Research Institute, University of California, 5200 N. Lake Rd., Merced, Merced, CA, 95343, USA,Corresponding author. Department of Public Health, University of California, 5200 N. Lake Rd., Merced, Merced, CA, 95343, USA
| | - Vivianna Plancarte
- Department of Public Health, University of California, 5200 N. Lake Rd., Merced, Merced, CA, 95343, USA
| | - Fabiola Perez-Lua
- Department of Public Health, University of California, 5200 N. Lake Rd., Merced, Merced, CA, 95343, USA
| | - Denise Diaz Payán
- Department of Public Health, University of California, 5200 N. Lake Rd., Merced, Merced, CA, 95343, USA,Health Sciences Research Institute, University of California, 5200 N. Lake Rd., Merced, Merced, CA, 95343, USA
| | - Maria-Elena De Trinidad Young
- Department of Public Health, University of California, 5200 N. Lake Rd., Merced, Merced, CA, 95343, USA,Health Sciences Research Institute, University of California, 5200 N. Lake Rd., Merced, Merced, CA, 95343, USA
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Fern SE, Kimbro RT, Hill ME, Hughes CC. Emergency Food Support Preference and Usage During COVID-19: A Neighborhood Study of Low-Income Black Mothers? Use of School-Based Food Distribution and P-EBT. Am J Public Health 2023; 113:S227-S230. [PMID: 38118086 PMCID: PMC10733869 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2023.307458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 disrupted families' food supply. Based on in-depth interviews with 45 Black low-income mothers of young children in an underserved Houston, Texas, neighborhood from April 2020 to June 2021, we compared two aid programs-Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer cash assistance and in-kind food distributions. We found that mothers preferred cash assistance for boosting existing food strategies, while food distributions presented new challenges for already burdened families. We argue that food assistance interventions can be more successful and equitable by integrating service user context, needs, and preferences. (Am J Public Health. 2023;113(S3):S227-S230. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2023.307458).
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon E Fern
- Simon E. Fern and Rachel T. Kimbro are with the Department of Sociology, Rice University, Houston, TX. Marbella Eboni Hill is with the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh. Cayce C. Hughes is with the Department of Sociology, Colorado College, Colorado Springs
| | - Rachel T Kimbro
- Simon E. Fern and Rachel T. Kimbro are with the Department of Sociology, Rice University, Houston, TX. Marbella Eboni Hill is with the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh. Cayce C. Hughes is with the Department of Sociology, Colorado College, Colorado Springs
| | - Marbella Eboni Hill
- Simon E. Fern and Rachel T. Kimbro are with the Department of Sociology, Rice University, Houston, TX. Marbella Eboni Hill is with the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh. Cayce C. Hughes is with the Department of Sociology, Colorado College, Colorado Springs
| | - Cayce C Hughes
- Simon E. Fern and Rachel T. Kimbro are with the Department of Sociology, Rice University, Houston, TX. Marbella Eboni Hill is with the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh. Cayce C. Hughes is with the Department of Sociology, Colorado College, Colorado Springs
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Harper K, Bode B, Gupta K, Terhaar A, Baltaci A, Asada Y, Lane H. Challenges and Opportunities for Equity in US School Meal Programs: A Scoping Review of Qualitative Literature Regarding the COVID-19 Emergency. Nutrients 2023; 15:3738. [PMID: 37686770 PMCID: PMC10490348 DOI: 10.3390/nu15173738] [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: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergency school meals program provided free meals to children in the United States (US) during COVID-19-related school closures. This scoping review aims to synthesize the existing qualitative empirical evidence published between March 2020 and January 2023 on the operations and utilization of emergency school meal programs during the pandemic. Qualitative, US-based peer-reviewed literature was collected from three sources: (1) parent review of all federal nutrition assistance programs; (2) systematic search of four databases; and (3) manual search of grey literature. Identified scientific articles and grey literature reports (n = 183) were uploaded into Covidence and screened for duplicates and inclusion/exclusion criteria. Our final sample included 21 articles/reports, including 14 mixed methods and seven qualitative-only projects. Articles spanned all U.S. states. Articles had similar research questions to understand school meals and/or general food access during COVID-19, with an emphasis on long-term policy implications. Hybrid deductive/inductive analytic coding was used to analyze data, utilizing domains from the Getting to Equity Framework (GTE). GTE considers multi-level factors that influence nutrition behavior while centering more equitable pathways to improve nutrition security and reduce adverse health. Findings were sorted into two categories: operational challenges during the pandemic and solutions to address inequities in school meal distribution during and after the pandemic, particularly during school closures such as summers or future emergencies. Key challenges related to supply chain issues, safety, and balancing families' needs with limited staff capacity. Programs addressed equity by (a) reducing deterrents through federally issued waivers and increased communications which allowed the serving of meals by programs to families who previously did not have access, (b) building community capacity through collaborations and partnerships which allowed for increased distribution, and (c) preparing and distributing healthy options unless barriers in supply chain superseded the effort. This review highlights the importance of emergency school meal programs and provides insights into addressing challenges and promoting equity in future out-of-school times. These insights could be applied to policy and practice change to optimize program budgets, increase reach equitably, and improve access to nutritious meals among populations at highest risk for nutrition insecurity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlyn Harper
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Bree Bode
- Michigan Fitness Foundation, Lansing, MI 48906, USA
| | - Kritika Gupta
- Department of Nutrition & Hospitality Management, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS 38677, USA
| | - Ally Terhaar
- Department of Behavioral Science and Health Education, College for Public Health and Social Justice, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO 63103, USA
| | - Aysegul Baltaci
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Yuka Asada
- Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Hannah Lane
- Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA;
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Ahmed D, Benavente P, Diaz E. Food Insecurity among International Migrants during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:5273. [PMID: 37047889 PMCID: PMC10093953 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20075273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and the measures imposed to control it have impacted food security globally, particularly among vulnerable populations. Food insecurity, in turn, has repercussions on health, exacerbating pre-existing inequalities. This scoping review maps the literature describing associations between the COVID-19 pandemic and food insecurity among migrants, with a particular view toward health. A total of 909 papers were extracted through four electronic databases, and 46 studies were included. The migrant populations described originated mainly from Latin America (11/46) and were located in North America (21/46). Most studies included refugees and asylum seekers (20/46). The main challenges described were financial hardship (28/46), the effect of migrants' documentation status on using public food aid (13/46), and the suspension of or reduction in humanitarian assistance due to the economic recession (7/46). The impact of food insecurity on migrants' mental and physical health was described in 26 of the 46 studies. Authorities in all destination countries should focus their attention and efforts into ensuring nutrition security for migrants in a holistic way, including their economic and legal integration, to be better prepared for health crises in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doua Ahmed
- Centre of International Health, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway
- Pandemic Centre, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway
| | - Pierina Benavente
- Pandemic Centre, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway
| | - Esperanza Diaz
- Pandemic Centre, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway
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Sohlberg TM, Higuchi EC, Ordonez VM, Escobar GV, De La Rosa A, Islas G, Castro C, Hecht K, Hecht CE, Bruce JS, Patel AI. Parent Perception of School Meals in the San Joaquin Valley during COVID-19: A Photovoice Project. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15051087. [PMID: 36904087 PMCID: PMC10005543 DOI: 10.3390/nu15051087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
School-based nutrition programs are crucial to reducing food insecurity. The COVID-19 pandemic adversely impacted students' school meal participation. This study seeks to understand parent views of school meals during COVID-19 to inform efforts to improve participation in school meal programs. Photovoice methodology was used to explore parental perception of school meals in San Joaquin Valley, California, a region of predominately Latino farmworker communities. Parents in seven school districts photographed school meals for a one-week period during the pandemic and then participated in focus group discussions and small group interviews. Focus group discussions and small group interviews were transcribed, and data were analyzed using a team-based, theme-analysis approach. Three primary domains emerged: benefits of school meal distribution, meal quality and appeal, and perceived healthfulness. Parents perceived school meals as beneficial to addressing food insecurity. However, they noted that meals were unappealing, high in added sugar, and unhealthy, which led to discarded meals and decreased participation in the school meal program. The transition to grab-and-go style meals was an effective strategy for providing food to families during pandemic school closures, and school meals remain an important resource for families experiencing food insecurity. However, negative parental perceptions of the appeal and nutritional content of school meals may have decreased school meal participation and increased food waste that could persist beyond the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatum M. Sohlberg
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, 3145 Porter Drive, Office F110, Stanford, CA 94304, USA
- Correspondence: (T.M.S.); (A.I.P.); Tel.: +1-650-497-1181 (T.M.S. & A.I.P.)
| | - Emma C. Higuchi
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, 3145 Porter Drive, Office F110, Stanford, CA 94304, USA
| | - Valeria M. Ordonez
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, 3145 Porter Drive, Office F110, Stanford, CA 94304, USA
| | - Gabriela V. Escobar
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, 3145 Porter Drive, Office F110, Stanford, CA 94304, USA
| | | | | | | | - Kenneth Hecht
- Nutrition Policy Institute, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California, 1111 Franklin Street, 5th Floor, Oakland, CA 94607, USA
| | - Christina E. Hecht
- Nutrition Policy Institute, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California, 1111 Franklin Street, 5th Floor, Oakland, CA 94607, USA
| | - Janine S. Bruce
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, 3145 Porter Drive, Office F110, Stanford, CA 94304, USA
| | - Anisha I. Patel
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, 3145 Porter Drive, Office F110, Stanford, CA 94304, USA
- Correspondence: (T.M.S.); (A.I.P.); Tel.: +1-650-497-1181 (T.M.S. & A.I.P.)
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Acciai F, Ohri-Vachaspati P, Yedidia MJ. Schools' Participation in the Community Eligibility Provision Affects Students' Receipt of Emergency Benefits during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14224919. [PMID: 36432605 PMCID: PMC9693532 DOI: 10.3390/nu14224919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) benefits were intended for families of school children who lost access to free or reduced-price school meals (FRPMs) during the COVID-19 pandemic-related school closures. In high-poverty communities, all students from schools participating in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) were automatically eligible for P-EBT benefits; in non-CEP schools, only students already participating in FRPMs-for which their parents submitted an individual application-were eligible for P-EBT benefits. Using publicly available data from 105 K-12 public schools located in 4 sizeable low-income New Jersey (NJ) cities, this study investigated the association between school CEP participation status and the reach of P-EBT benefits for eligible students. A generalized linear model with a logit link, a binomial family, and robust standard errors was used. Across all levels of FRPM eligibility based on students' household income, as expected, almost all students from CEP schools received P-EBT benefits; significantly fewer received P-EBT benefits if they attended non-CEP schools, even when they were eligible for FRPMs. Our findings show that without changes to the qualification process for CEP, large numbers of eligible children will not receive the intended health benefits of federal meals programs or similar emergency relief initiatives. Expanding CEP eligibility and simplifying the process through which schools qualify would likely improve the uptake of federal meals programs and emergency interventions, and more effectively achieve their intent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Acciai
- College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
- Correspondence:
| | | | - Michael J. Yedidia
- Center for State Health Policy, Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
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Luo Y, Mobley C, Hossfeld L, Koob C, Hossfeld C, Baxter SLK, Griffin SF. The Association between Food Insecurity and Making Hunger-Coping Trade-Offs during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Sources of Food and Easiness in Food Access. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14214616. [PMID: 36364877 PMCID: PMC9658505 DOI: 10.3390/nu14214616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Many individuals make financial, health and food related trade-offs to cope with the challenges of food insecurity and to meet their household needs for healthy, affordable food. A survey (n = 652) was conducted in nine rural counties in South Carolina, USA, during the COVID-19 pandemic from August 2020 to July 2021. We examine if level of food insecurity predicts hunger-coping trade-offs, and whether this relationship is moderated by easiness in food access and dependence on different food source types. Nearly one-third of the respondents experienced food insecurity. Making trade-offs between paying for food and other household expenses was common among the rural residents as on average they made nearly one type of trade-off in the past three months. The number of trade-offs was the highest among highly food insecure respondents (mean = 2.64), followed by moderately food insecure respondents (mean = 1.66); low food insecure respondents had the lowest number of trade-offs (mean = 0.39). The moderating effects of easiness in food access and dependence on food sources varied by level of food insecurity. The results show that individuals at different levels of food insecurity use different strategies to fulfill their food needs and social programs are more often utilized than personal food sources. We conclude with implications for addressing food insecurity in order to reduce the possibility of making trade-offs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Luo
- Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
- Correspondence: (Y.L.); (L.H.)
| | - Catherine Mobley
- Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
| | - Leslie Hossfeld
- College of Social, Behavioral and Health Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
- Correspondence: (Y.L.); (L.H.)
| | - Caitlin Koob
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
| | - Cassius Hossfeld
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
| | - Samuel L. K. Baxter
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
| | - Sarah F. Griffin
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
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