Health

A worsening health condition or sudden medical emergency can set off a chain reaction which reinforces food insecurity – as medical expenses climb and hourly workers lose wages, exacerbating their financial insecurity and that of their employers.

Health

A decline in person health, or that of a child or parent, or a sudden medical emergency can set off a chain reaction which reinforces food insecurity – as medical expenses climb and hourly workers lose wages, worsening their financial insecurity and that of their employers.

Food Insecurity Perpetuated by Lack of Healthcare Access.

Families experiencing food insecurity face a higher risk of poor health outcomes, including a greater prevalence of chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.

These families frequently live in neighborhoods with fewer health care resources, face greater exposure to environmental health hazards, and work in jobs without health insurance or paid sick leave.

Learn About Hunger - Income Stability

The Price of Poor Nutrition

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Annual total health spending
0 %
of this spending is on diet-related conditions
0 M
do not have access to healthy food sources

The Cycle

Food Insecurity: Limited access to nutritious food. Lack of health insurance. Effect: Nutritional deficiences. Delayed care due to cost. Poor Health: Increased risk of chronic illness. Delayed care and complications. Effect: Medical cost leaves us less money for food. Missed work cuts income.

The Spiral

Start: Limited access to nutritious food and missed medical appointments due to out of pocket costs. As health declines, emergency care becomes the only option, pushing families deeper into financial stress. End: Chronic conditions worsen, income decreases, and food insecurity deepens.

Our Neighbor’s Voice

“With access to nutritious foods… I was able to focus more on my health and less on financial stress. It has not only helped me manage my chronic health conditions, like blood pressure, but also allowed me to share healthy meals with others, fostering a sense of community.”

Access to Health Care Makes Food Security Possible

Food Insecurity Harms Health:

Families experiencing food insecurity face a higher risk of poor health outcomes, including a greater prevalence of chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. These families frequently live in neighborhoods with fewer health care resources, face greater exposure to environmental health hazards, and work in jobs without access to health insurance or paid sick leave.

Low Access, High Exposure:

A worsening health condition or a sudden medical emergency can set off a chain reaction which reinforces food insecurity – as medical expenses climb and hourly workers lose wages, worsening their financial insecurity and that of their employers.

Texas’ Dual Health Challenge:

Texas has some of the highest rates of food insecurity paired with some of the highest rates of uninsured individuals and diet-related diseases. Nearly 5 million Texans — double the national average — lack health insurance, and over 2 million Texas households are food insecure. These combined challenges lead to a cycle of worsening health and financial strain.

Policy Roadmap

Partnerships with Health Plans and Nonprofits

Food is Medicine programs like Medically Tailored Meals and Food Prescription are proven to reduce hospital visits, lower health care costs, and improve overall quality of life by pairing nutritious food with health. For these programs to succeed, they require sustainable funding mechanisms and incentives for insurers to ensure broader adoption and impact.

Promote Access to Preventative and Affordable Health Care

Ensuring families can maintain access to preventative and affordable health care is critical to preventing minor health issues from escalating into severe, costly conditions. Employer-supported insurance, public health programs, or other pathways – also reduce costs to hospitals and health insurers.

Support Nutritious Food Access

Creating opportunities for greater access to nutritious food is essential for improving public health. This includes supporting programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and capacity building programs for farmers whose food can support the community in which it is grown.

Sources

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