Andersen JA, Willis DE, Malhis JR, Long CR, McElfish PA. The Association Between Education and Basic Needs Insecurity for Marshallese During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2022;
9:1882-1887. [PMID:
34403123 PMCID:
PMC8370049 DOI:
10.1007/s40615-021-01125-1]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to explore the prevalence of basic needs insecurity and to examine the association between education and basic needs insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic for Marshallese living in the USA.
METHODS
Survey data describing Marshallese experiences during the pandemic were analyzed using descriptive statistics and complementary log-log regression to test the association between education and basic needs insecurity.
RESULTS
Marshallese respondents reported no usual source of care (46%), less healthcare (22.3%), and difficulty obtaining medication (34.8%). Nearly 80% reported being food insecure, and 47.5% reported being housing insecure. Marshallese with a high school education or less had higher odds of reporting being food and housing insecure.
DISCUSSION
Basic needs insecurities are a serious threat to the health of Marshallese during the pandemic. Results from this study can inform interventions addressing food and housing insecurity, access to healthcare, and medication access for Marshallese communities.
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