Abstract
Objective
To understand how equity appeared in news about food assistance from 2021.
Methods
We assessed a national sample of news articles (N=298) for equity arguments and language about racial and health equity.
Results
Only 28% of coverage argued that food assistance programs promote equity. Just 6% mentioned people of color or named racial disparities in food access.
Discussion
Narratives that explain how food assistance programs reduce inequities could deepen their policy appeal and broaden public perceptions around recipients.
Health Equity Implications
There are opportunities for news coverage to expand the discussion of how food assistance programs improve racial and health equity outcomes.
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