Food insecurity and poor physical health have been on the rise following the termination of federal pandemic-era emergency assistance programs, according to a recent report by health policy experts at the Richard A. and Susan F. Smith Center for Outcomes Research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC). The study, published in JAMA, highlights the significant impact of the end of these assistance programs on vulnerable populations.
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to a sharp increase in food insecurity as unemployment rates soared and economic hardship became widespread. In response, Congress implemented the largest temporary increase in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, a federal program that supports over 40 million low-income Americans in purchasing food each month. However, when the COVID-era SNAP increase came to an end in March 2023, many families found themselves with significantly reduced food assistance, ranging from $90 to $250 less per month.
Rishi Wadhera, MD, MPP, MPhil, associate director of the Smith Center and an associate professor at Harvard Medical School, noted that the decline in physical health following the reductions in SNAP benefits was comparable to the national declines observed during the pandemic. This suggests that the termination of these benefits may have had a direct impact on the health and well-being of individuals who rely on them.
The study also sheds light on the demographics of SNAP recipients, with 40% to 45% being children under 18, a majority of adult participants being employed in low-wage jobs, and 20% being elderly or disabled individuals. These vulnerable populations are at risk of experiencing worsened physical health if SNAP benefits are cut, as indicated by the findings of Wadhera and his colleagues.
Lead author Michael Liu, MD, highlighted that the increase in food insecurity may have secondary effects on physical health, such as exacerbating diet-sensitive conditions, leading to the consumption of lower-quality but more affordable food, or causing additional financial stress on families.
As Congress considers budget cuts that could potentially reduce SNAP benefits, the results of this study emphasize the importance of maintaining support for vulnerable populations. The researchers urge policymakers to consider the potential consequences of cutting benefits in programs like SNAP, as it may have far-reaching impacts on the health and well-being of millions of Americans.
For more information, the study titled “Changes in Physical and Mental Health After the End of SNAP Emergency Allotments” can be found in JAMA. This research underscores the critical role that federal assistance programs play in supporting the health and nutritional needs of low-income individuals and families.
