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. 2021 Oct;56(5):854-863.
doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.13609. Epub 2021 Jan 24.

Impact of the supplemental nutritional assistance program on diet-related disease morbidity among older adults

Layla G Booshehri  1 , Jerome Dugan  1
Affiliations

Impact of the supplemental nutritional assistance program on diet-related disease morbidity among older adults

Layla G Booshehri et al. Health Serv Res. 2021 Oct.

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the health effects of the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) and the differential impact of SNAP across race/ethnicity among older adults.

Data source/study setting: 2008-2013 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, a nationally representative population-based complex sample survey.

Study design: A difference-in-regression-discontinuity (DRD) design is used to assess the impacts of SNAP on diet-related disease morbidity. The primary outcomes were the prevalence rate of hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer. We also conducted supplemental analysis to examine potential co-occurring trends in medical utilization.

Data collection/extraction methods: Data are publicly available.

Principal findings: In the full sample, SNAP eligibility was associated with a significant decline in diabetes (-3.71 percentage points [pp]; P < .05). Non-Hispanic (NH) White respondents reported trends similar to the full sample; however, NH Black respondents reported large declines in hypertension (-13.95 pp; P < .01) and Hispanic respondents reported declines in the prevalence of angina (-6.94 pp; P < .05) and stroke (-4.48 pp; P < .05).

Conclusions: Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program eligibility was associated with the reduced prevalence of diet-related disease among older adults. These observed declines in the prevalence of diet-related disease do not appear to be attributable to increased medical visits or spending on medical services and prescriptions.

Keywords: Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program; diet-related disease; older adults.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) enrollment rates. Source: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey respondents residing in households >130% FPL, 2008‐2013
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) enrollment rates and annual nutritional assistance received by federal tax filing status. Source: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey respondents residing in households >130% FPL, 2008‐2013
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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