Food insecurity and poor physical health have been on the rise since the end of federal pandemic-era emergency assistance programs, according to a new 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 findings, published in JAMA, highlight the significant impact of ending these assistance programs on vulnerable populations.
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to a spike in food insecurity due to increased unemployment and economic hardship. In response, Congress provided a temporary increase to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, which support over 40 million low-income Americans in buying food each month. However, when the COVID-era SNAP increase ended nationwide in March 2023, many families were left with reduced food assistance, ranging from $90 to $250 less per month.
Dr. Rishi Wadhera, associate director of the Smith Center, noted that the decline in physical health following the reduction in SNAP benefits was comparable to the overall declines in physical health observed during the pandemic. This underscores the importance of these assistance programs in supporting the well-being of vulnerable populations.
As Congress considers budget cuts that could further reduce SNAP benefits, the study by Wadhera and colleagues serves as a crucial reminder of the potential consequences of such actions. SNAP recipients, who represent some of the most vulnerable Americans, including children, low-wage workers, and older adults or disabled individuals, may experience worsened physical health if their benefits are cut.
Lead author Dr. Michael Liu pointed out that the increase in food insecurity could have spillover 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.
The study published in JAMA highlights the importance of maintaining and even expanding assistance programs like SNAP to support the health and well-being of millions of Americans. Cutting benefits in these programs could have detrimental effects on the physical health of vulnerable populations, underscoring the need for continued support and investment in social safety net programs.
For more information, the study by Michael Liu et al. can be accessed in JAMA with the DOI: 10.1001/jama.2025.6010. This research sheds light on the link between food insecurity, declining health, and the importance of maintaining support for vulnerable populations.
This article was provided by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. For more information, visit their website at www.bidmc.org.
