scholarly journals Poverty and food insecurity may increase as the threat of COVID-19 spreads

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (17) ◽  
pp. 3236-3240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcos Pereira ◽  
Ana Marlucia Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Healthy Foods ◽  
Human Right ◽  
Social Interventions ◽  
Adequate Food ◽  
Production And Distribution ◽  
Political Economic

AbstractThis article discusses the relationship between both poverty and food insecurity (FI) and the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as presenting possible strategies and actions for increasing social protection in the fight against these conditions in the current epidemiological context, especially for low-income countries. This is a narrative review concerning COVID-19, poverty, and food and nutritional insecurity. The COVID-19 pandemic may increase poverty and FI levels, resulting from the absence of or weak political, economic and social interventions to maintain jobs, as well as compromised food production and distribution chains and reduced access to healthy foods in different countries around the world, especially the poorest ones, where social and economic inequality was already historically high; the pandemic heightens and uncovers the vulnerability of poor populations. Public policies focused on guaranteeing the human right to adequate food must be improved and implemented for populations in contexts of poverty with the aim of providing food security.

Theories of the food insecurity ‘problem’ and the right to food ‘solution’

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah Lambie-Mumford
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Social Acceptability ◽  
Human Right ◽  
Right To Food ◽  
The Social ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Right ◽  
Sufficient Food

Chapter 3 sets out the key theories with which the book engages: food insecurity and the human right to food. Following on from a conceptualisation and definition of food insecurity, the right to food is introduced. Emphasis is placed on normative element of ‘adequacy and sustainability of food availability and access’ and on the state’s obligation to ‘respect, protect and fulfil the right to food’. Theories of ‘othering’ and ‘agency’ are employed to assess the social acceptability of emergency food systems as a means of acquiring food, and the power of providers to make sufficient food available through these systems and of potential recipients to access it. Theories of ‘care’ and ‘social protection’ are employed to explore the ways in which charitable providers are in practice taking responsibility for the duty to respect, protect and fulfil the right to food and how shifts in welfare policy are affecting need for this provision.

Extending social protection to persons with disabilities: Exploring the accessibility and the impact of the Disability Fund on the lives of persons with disabilities in Ghana

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 225-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maxwell Peprah Opoku ◽  
William Nketsia ◽  
Elvis Agyei-Okyere ◽  
Wisdom Kwadwo Mprah
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
The Government ◽  
Political Units ◽  
The Impact

In many low-income countries, persons with disabilities are consistently denied access to essential services, contributing to a high incidence of poverty among them. The Goal 1 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) exhorts countries to develop appropriate social protection to serve as a springboard to alleviate poverty among all persons. The government of Ghana has introduced Disability Fund to provide one-off financial support to persons with disabilities through its decentralised political units. This is to enable persons with disability to participate in socio-economic activities. However, after a decade of the establishment of the fund, anecdotal evidence still shows that many persons with disabilities continue to live in deplorable conditions. Therefore, the main aim of this qualitative study was to explore the beneficial impact of the fund on the lives of persons with disabilities in Ghana. A semi-structured interview guide was used to collect data from 48 participants, comprising 20 males and 28 females with disabilities. The narratives from the participants revealed that only a few were able to access the fund. In their quest to access the fund, participants encountered barriers, such as lack of information, delays in disbursement and insufficient funds. The findings underscore the need for re-evaluation of the administration of Disability Fund and its disbursement processes. The implications of the findings for policy reform are extensively discussed.

scholarly journals DOES BREASTFEEDING DURATION INFLUENCE FAMILY FOOD INSECURITY?

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. e6-e6
Author(s):  
Peter Wong ◽  
Rosemary Moodie ◽  
David Dai ◽  
Jonathon Maguire ◽  
Catherine Birken ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Policy ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Breastfeeding Duration ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Adequate Food ◽  
Low Income Families

Abstract BACKGROUND Across all demographics, families without consistent access to adequate food place children at health risk. Consequences may persist beyond early life into adulthood. Public policy positions breastfeeding, the ideal nutrition for infants, as an important solution to reducing family food insecurity (FFI). However, few studies have investigated the association between breastfeeding duration and FFI. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the association between total breastfeeding duration and FFI in Canadian urban children. DESIGN/METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted of children aged 0–2 years, from a practice-based child research network. Total breastfeeding duration was collected from parent-reported questionnaires. FFI was measured using 2-item food insecurity and validated 1-item NutriSTEP screens. Multivariable regression analysis was performed adjusting for pre-specified covariates. RESULTS Among 3838 children, the mean total breastfeeding duration was 10.6 months (SD=6.7). Families with food insecurity (14.7%) had increased odds of younger mothers, more males and older and more children. In adjusted model, breastfeeding duration was not associated with FFI (OR 0.99; 95% CI 0.98, 1.01). Low-income families were 9 times more likely to be family food insecure than high-income families (p=0.00). CONCLUSION Contrary to public policy, our study found no association between breastfeeding and family food insecurity (FFI). However, other factors may predominate, in particular family income and structure. Given the detrimental impact of FFI, further research is needed to understand the role of infant feeding practices within the larger political, policy and cultural framework.

Tuberculosis treatment outcome in a rural area of Senegal: a decade of experience from 2010 to 2019 by StopTB Italia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niccolò Riccardi ◽  
Simone Villa ◽  
Andrea Giacomelli ◽  
Mama M Diaw ◽  
Mamoud Ndiaye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Area ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Treatment Success ◽  
Pulmonary Involvement ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
The Impact

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) unevenly affects individuals across the globe, especially in rural areas of low-income countries. Aim of the study was to assess the impact of social protection to increase TB awareness on treatment outcomes among TB patients in a rural area of Senegal. Materials & methods: The study, conducted in Fimela district (Senegal) from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2019 and the intervention started from 31 January 2013, includes activities to increase awareness, active case finding, active follow-up and social protection. Results: Overall, 435 subjects – mainly male and young – were included in the analysis. Among TB cases, 94% had pulmonary involvement, 87% had no previous TB history, and 6% resulted positive HIV. Improved outcome was observed once intervention began (from 71 to 91%, p < 0.001); whereas mortality decreased (from 15 to 5%; p < 0.001), especially for those HIV co-infected for whom TB mortality rate dropped from 70 to 29%. Conclusion: After beginning the cooperation program, TB treatment success increased as a result of the decline of mortality, especially in people living with HIV.

scholarly journals Social predictors of food insecurity during the stay-at-home order due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru. Results from a cross-sectional web-based survey

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge L. Cañari-Casaño ◽  
Omaira Cochachin-Henostroza ◽  
Oliver A. Elorreaga ◽  
Gandy Dolores-Maldonado ◽  
Anthony Aquino-Ramírez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Forward Selection ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Social Predictors ◽  
Probabilistic Sampling ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
At Home

SUMMARYBackgroundStay-at-home orders and social distancing have been implemented as the primary tools to reduce the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, this approach has indirectly lead to the unemployment of 2·3 million Peruvians, in Lima, Perú alone. As a result, the risk of food insecurity may have increased, especially in low-income families who rely on a daily wage. This study estimates the prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity (MSFI) and identifies the associated factors that explain this outcome during the stay-at-home order.MethodsA cross-sectional web-based survey, with non-probabilistic sampling, was conducted between May 18 and June 30, 2020, during the stay-at-home order in Peru. We used social media advertisements on Facebook to reach 18-59-year-olds living in Peru. MSFI was assessed using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES). Rasch model methodology requirements were considered, and factors associated with MSFI were selected using stepwise forward selection. A Poisson generalized linear model (Poisson GLM), with log link function, was employed to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR).FindingsThis analysis is based on 1846 replies. The prevalence of MSFI was 23·2%, and FIES proved to be an acceptable instrument with reliability 0·72 and infit 0·8-1·3. People more likely to experience MSFI were those with low income (less than 255 US$/month) in the pre-pandemic period (aPR 3·77; 95%CI, 1·98-7·16), those whose income was significantly reduced during the pandemic period (aPR 2·27; 95%CI, 1·55-3·31), and those whose savings ran out in less than 21 days (aPR 1·86; 95%CI, 1·43-2·42). Likewise, heads of households (aPR 1·20; 95%CI, 1·00-1·44) and those with probable SARS-CoV2 cases as relatives (aPR 1·29; 95%CI, 1·05-1·58) were at an increased risk of MSFI. Additionally, those who perceived losing weight during the pandemic (aPR 1·21; 95%CI, 1·01-1·45), and increases in processed foods prices (aPR 1·31; 95%CI, 1·08-1·59), and eating less minimally processed food (aPR 1·82; 95%CI, 1·48-2·24) were more likely to experience MSFI.InterpretationPeople most at risk of MSFI were those in a critical economic situation before and during the pandemic. Social protection policies should be reinforced to prevent or mitigate these adverse effects.FundingNone.

The sustainability of the human right to food

2021 ◽  
pp. 125-145
Author(s):  
Francesco Alicino
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Food System ◽  
High Income ◽  
The Other ◽  
Social Injustice ◽  
Human Right ◽  
Right To Food ◽  
Adequate Food ◽  
The Right ◽  
Human Right To Food

With this article the Author focuses the attention on today's multiple facets of the food crises, which prevents from characterizing countries as low-income and undernourished or high-income and only concerned with people overweight or obese. This will allow to underscore the multi-sectorial aspects of the right to food, including the environmental foodprint. It, on the other hand, explains the function of the judiciary, which will lead to the broader notion of both the adequate food and the food system while sharpening their sustainability. For these same reasons, today's food system may offer a valuable space for learning to eliminate, or at least reduce, the unreasonable discriminations and unsustainable social injustice.

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