scholarly journals Policies affecting eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and HIV incidence in the United States

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron Richterman ◽  
Jason P Block ◽  
Alexander C Tsai ◽  
Louise C Ivers
Keyword(s):  
Safety Net ◽  
The United States ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ◽  
Hiv Incidence ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
The Us ◽  
State Income ◽  
Nutrition Assistance ◽  
Time Varying Covariates

Abstract Introduction The connection between food insecurity and HIV outcomes is well-established. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the primary food safety net program in the US, may have collateral impacts on HIV incidence. “Broad-based categorical eligibility” for SNAP is a policy that provides a mechanism for states to increase the income or asset limits for SNAP eligibility. Methods We estimated the association between the number of new HIV diagnoses 2010-2014 for each state and (1) state income limits and (2) state asset limits for SNAP eligibility. We fitted multivariable negative binomial regression models with number of HIV diagnoses specified as the outcome; SNAP policies as the primary explanatory variable of interest; state and year fixed effects; and time-varying covariates related to the costs of food, health care, housing, employment, other SNAP policies, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families spending. Results HIV diagnoses within states had a statistically significant association with state income limits for SNAP eligibility (IRR 0.94 per increase in the income limit by 35% of federal poverty level, 95% CI 0.91-0.98), but no association with state asset limits (increased asset limit vs. no change, IRR 1.02, 95% CI 0.94-1.10; eliminated asset limit vs. no change, IRR 1.04, 95% CI 0.99-1.10). Conclusions State income limits for SNAP eligibility were inversely associated with the number of new HIV diagnoses for states between 2010-2014. Proposals to eliminate the use of broad-based categorical eligibility to increase the income limit for SNAP may undercut efforts to end the HIV epidemic in the US

scholarly journals Strengthening the Public Health Impacts of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Through Policy

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 453-480
Author(s):  
Sara N. Bleich ◽  
Alyssa J. Moran ◽  
Kelsey A. Vercammen ◽  
Johannah M. Frelier ◽  
Caroline G. Dunn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Safety Net ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ◽  
Health Impacts ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Us ◽  
Nutrition Assistance

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the cornerstone of the US nutrition safety net. Each month, SNAP provides assistance to 40 million low-income Americans—nearly half of them children. A number of changes could strengthen the public health impacts of SNAP. This review first presents a framework describing the mechanisms through which SNAP policy can influence public health, particularly by affecting the food security, the diet quality, and, subsequently, the health of SNAP participants. We then discusspolicy opportunities with the greatest potential to strengthen the public health impacts of SNAP, organized into three areas: ( a) food production and distribution, ( b) benefit allocation, and ( c) eligibility and enrollment. For each section, we describe current policy and limitations of the status quo, suggest evidence-based opportunities for policy change to improve public health, and identify important areas for future research.

scholarly journals An Examination of the Adequacy of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefit Levels: Impacts on Food Insecurity

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 433-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig Gundersen ◽  
Elaine Waxman ◽  
Amy S. Crumbaugh
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
The United States ◽  
Food Prices ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Nutrition Assistance ◽  
The Cost

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) serves as the primary tool to alleviate food insecurity in the United States. Its effectiveness has been demonstrated in numerous studies, but the majority of SNAP recipients are still food insecure. One factor behind this is the difference in food prices across the country—SNAP benefits are not adjusted to reflect these differences. Using information from Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap (MMG) project, we compare the cost of a meal by county based on the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP)—which is used to set the maximum SNAP benefit—with the cost of the average meal for low-income food-secure households. We find that the cost of the latter meal is higher than the TFP meal for over 99 percent of the counties. We next consider the reduction in food insecurity if, by county, the maximum SNAP benefit level was set to the cost of the average meal for low-income food-secure households. We find that if this approach were implemented, there would be a decline of 50.9 percent in food insecurity among SNAP recipients at a cost of $23 billion.

scholarly journals 974. The Effects of Changes in State-Level Policies Affecting Eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) on Annual HIV Diagnoses in the United States

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S516-S516
Author(s):  
Aaron Richterman ◽  
Louise Ivers ◽  
Alexander Tsai ◽  
Jason Block
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
The United States ◽  
Inverse Association ◽  
Federal Poverty Level ◽  
Poverty Level ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
State Income ◽  
Nutrition Assistance ◽  
Time Varying Covariates

Abstract Background The connection between food insecurity and HIV outcomes is well-established. The Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the primary program in the United States that addresses food insecurity, may have collateral impacts on HIV incidence, but the extent to which it does is unknown. “Broad-based categorical eligibility” for SNAP is a federal policy that provides a mechanism for states to increase the income or asset limits for SNAP eligibility. The Department of Agriculture under the Trump Administration has proposed eliminating this policy. Methods We estimated the association between the number of new HIV diagnoses from 2010 to 2014 for each state and (1) state income limits for SNAP eligibility as a percentage of the federal poverty level and (2) state asset limits for SNAP eligibility (increased/eliminated vs. unchanged). We fitted multivariable negative binomial regression models with annual incidence of HIV diagnoses specified as the outcome; SNAP policies as the primary explanatory variable of interest; state and year fixed effects; and time-varying covariates related to the costs of food, health care, housing, employment, SNAP outreach, and total spending on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs. Results From 2010 to 2014, 204,034 new HIV diagnoses occurred in the United States. HIV diagnoses within states had a statistically significant inverse association with state income limits for SNAP eligibility (IRR 0.94 per increase in the income limit by 35% of federal poverty level, 95% CI 0.91-0.98), but no statistically significant association with state asset limits (increased asset limit vs. no change, IRR 1.02, 95% CI 0.94-1.10; eliminated asset limit vs. no change, IRR 1.04, 95% CI 0.99-1.10) (Table). Table Conclusion State income limits for SNAP eligibility were inversely associated with the number of new HIV diagnoses for states between 2010-2014. Proposals to eliminate the use of broad-based categorical eligibility to increase the income limit for SNAP may undercut efforts to end the HIV epidemic in the United States. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

scholarly journals Three essays on food insecurity, nutritional outcomes, and supplemental nutrition assistance program participation among seniors

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Ashley E. Price
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Functional Limitations ◽  
Good Health ◽  
The United States ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Nutrition Assistance ◽  
Nutritional Outcomes

As the senior population in the United States grows to be a more significant portion of the American populous, social scientists, public health advocates, policy makers, and health care professor must grapple with how to address the strain senior will place on health systems and social services. Nutrition is a critical component of maintaining good health, managing chronic diseases, and prevention, thus, we must learn more about the senior experiences with nutrition and social programs which address nutrition inadequacy. To contribute to this literature this dissertation uses nationally representative survey data and econometric analysis to understand seniors and nutrition. The first essay focuses on understanding what contributes to seniors' participation Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The second essay looks at the role food security and functional limitations play in seniors' nutritional outcomes. The third chapter explores what drives the higher food insecurity rates among senior women relative to senior men. All three essays highlight potential barriers for seniors having quality nutrition.

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