Articles tagged with Food Security
A nationwide produce prescription program for patients with diabetes and food insecurity could prevent 296,000 cases of cardiovascular disease and gain 260,000 quality-adjusted life years. The program is estimated to save $39.6 billion in healthcare spending and $4.8 billion in lost productivity costs.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found a significant association between food insecurity and accelerated memory decline in middle to older-age individuals. The researchers suggest that exposure to food insecurity in older age may have long-term negative effects on cognitive function.
A new study reveals that nearly 40% of teen girls and young women have low iron levels, with higher rates among Black, Latina, low-income, or low-BMI individuals. The study recommends considering routine screening for iron levels in adolescents and young women to prevent life-limiting symptoms associated with iron-deficiency anemia.
A study published in JAMA Network Open reveals racial disparities in food insecurity among low-income households without Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) access. The research highlights the importance of improving SNAP access to address these disparities.
A new study finds that exposure to posthospitalization home-delivered meals is associated with lower 30-day rehospitalization and mortality rates. The study suggests that this service may help prevent hospital readmissions and improve patient outcomes.
The study found that COVID-19-era policy improvements in adult overall health and household nutrition resulted from the 2021 Child Tax Credit monthly payments. Cash transfers may effectively address adult health issues and enhance food security
The expanded Child Tax Credit led to significant improvements in adult health and nutrition, with eligible adults reporting better health outcomes and food security compared to ineligible adults. The study estimates that this policy may have benefited approximately 1.08 million adults and 684,000 households.
A new study by Mass General Brigham found an association between increasing receipt of plant-based food packages and decreased BMI in children. The research suggests that providing healthy foods can help prevent childhood obesity, especially among families dealing with food insecurity.
Children with parental cancer history face higher rates of unmet economic needs, including food security, housing affordability and transportation access. The study highlights the need for strategies to identify and support these vulnerable children.
New study finds that limiting human activity in parts of the ocean can enhance marine environment health and benefit nearby coastal communities. MPAs with strict fishing restrictions sustain fisheries and improve income and food security for nearby residents.
Researchers identified candidate genes and loci associated with aquaculture-relevant traits in tilapia, providing valuable insights to breed more resilient fish. The findings aim to guide selective breeding programmes and enhance the climate resilience of freshwater aquaculture.
A new study by researchers at the School District of Philadelphia found that building relationships between SNAP-Ed implementers and school staff was crucial for developing school staff motivation and capacity to implement programming. This approach can help schools most in need, which are often high-poverty schools with limited capacity.
Researchers have unlocked the large-scale genomic analysis of foxtail millet, an important cereal crop that has been grown for roughly 11,000 years. The study identified key genes and marker-panels for its evolution and improvement in different environments.
The American Phytopathological Society published a special issue on key discoveries in plant pathology, highlighting groundbreaking findings over the past 50 years. These discoveries have significantly impacted plant health, food security, and food safety worldwide.
A new study by University of Utah Health finds that non-citizen individuals are more susceptible to food insecurity, even with similar income and education levels. The researchers suggest increasing awareness about safety net programs like SNAP can help reduce disparities in food insecurity between immigrants and US-born citizens.
Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have identified new genes that regulate the surge protector in plants, which can help increase photosynthesis efficiency and boost corn yields. The discovery could lead to breeding plants better equipped to capitalize on yield-boosting sunlight.
New research by Lancaster University and others finds that food poverty is a pressing matter to reproductive justice worldwide. Marginalized individuals face increased risks of both food insecurity and reproductive coercion and injustices.
The US has lost 57.6 billion tons of topsoil due to farming practices, but new research suggests no-till methods can drastically reduce erosion and extend fertility for centuries. No-till farming, currently practiced on 40% of Midwest cropland acres, can modelled to slow down soil loss.
A study of 12,000 medical students found that poor eating habits established during post-secondary studies can contribute to future health issues. The researchers call for universities to provide healthy, affordable food options to prevent long-term problems.
A new study reveals a higher prevalence of stunting and wasting among poor children, while overweight children live in richer homes. Researchers are calling for an integrated approach to tackle the 'double burden' of child malnutrition.
A researcher at OSU-Cascades is developing an AI-powered smart compost bin that tracks household food waste. The device prompts users to describe deposited items, transcribing notes with automatic speech recognition and collecting 3-D images and sensor measurements.
The grant aims to develop accurate household food waste measurement methodologies and metrics. Innovative technologies will help create impactful interventions to minimize and eliminate food waste in the United States and globally.
A new study from the University of Chicago shows a direct link between social determinants of health and suicide risk, with counties experiencing high levels of social vulnerability having nearly double the suicide rate as those with lower levels. The study proposes several public health policies to address these disparities.
A growing number of states have implemented policies to cover outpatient hemodialysis for undocumented immigrants with kidney failure. This expansion may be due to increased awareness of poor outcomes with emergency hemodialysis and advocacy efforts. The move towards covering dialysis in all 50 states is called for by experts, who also...
The study reveals COVID-19 worsened existing inequities in food security and rental struggles based on race and ethnicity and maternal origins. Equity-focused policy changes are necessary to ensure all US children and families can afford basic needs for optimal health.
Researchers discovered that adding cell layers to corn bran can increase iron and zinc content by up to 35% and 15%, respectively. The technique also enhances anthocyanin production, a natural pigment in corn prized for its colorant properties.
A new study suggests that US food insecurity rates may be significantly higher than previously reported, with some areas experiencing rates over twice as high as national averages. The researchers recommend conducting surveys more frequently and asking about recent experiences to improve accuracy.
Researchers found that underutilized asset building programs could be a solution to help low income families build wealth. The study showed that incorporating these programs into healthcare may make them more accessible to families in need.
A study from the University of California, Davis found that fewer than 10% of patients were screened for food insecurity during the pandemic. Screening increased to 10% after COVID-19 vaccines became available, but remained low at telehealth appointments.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University recorded and analyzed plant sounds emitted under stress, identifying specific identifiable sounds. The study suggests that plants may communicate with other plants and animals through these sounds.
A recent study published in the Journal of Agricultural Economics found that home gardens can increase annual home-produced food by nearly 90% and monthly per adult equivalent incomes by 37%. These interventions also reduced poverty rates and improved nutrition among rural farming communities in Odisha, India.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that food insecurity is associated with a decline in executive function among older adults. The research used data from 3,037 community-dwelling Medicare beneficiaries and suggests that interventions to increase healthy food access may be crucial in mitigating cognitive decline.
A team of MIT researchers has created an 'unclonable' label system to combat counterfeit seeds in Africa, where fake seeds can cost farmers up to two-thirds of expected crop yields. The system uses biodegradable silk-based tags with unique codes that cannot be replicated.
A new study found that a Food FARMacia program, which provided free and healthy foods to families in need, was associated with reduced childhood obesity outcomes and improved household food security. The program, which operated mobile pantries twice a month, showed a clinically significant decline in childhood obesity risk factors afte...
A new tool can accurately forecast the prevalence of individuals with insufficient access to food, allowing for timely responses. The tool was developed using data from six countries and achieved high accuracy rates, particularly in Yemen and Syria.
A University of Illinois project uses AI-powered object recognition to quantify kernel damage in wheat, enabling faster disease analysis and improved resistance. The technology has shown promising results, with potential for an online portal to automate scoring and support breeders in their efforts to eliminate fusarium head blight.
A team of microbiologists proposes using powerful microbial technologies to reduce global and local challenges leading to conflict, including food supply security and pollution. The authors advocate for deploying these technologies to address humanitarian crises and advance Sustainable Development Goals.
A study explores how nutrition educators work with incentive programs like GusNIP to promote increased intake of fruits and vegetables. Nutrition educators play a unique role in providing participant-centered education, navigating food environments, and culturally adapting programming to meet diverse audience needs.
Researchers have uncovered the ancient roots of a gene in wheat that provides resistance to the devastating Wheat Yellow Mosaic Virus, which causes significant economic losses. The discovery could lead to more resistant wheat cultivars, increased crop yields, and reduced use of harmful fungicides.
A new machine learning model developed by NYU researchers can predict food crises up to 12 months in advance by analyzing news articles and their frequency. The model shows a high correlation between news coverage and on-the-ground occurrences of risk factors, indicating its potential as an early-warning system.
Research says Syria's peacebuilding efforts must tackle the root causes of its failed state, including lack of inclusive governance and social contracts. The study also highlights the devastating impact of state failure on citizens, with widespread displacement, poverty, and food insecurity.
A new study found that Black women of childbearing age are twice as likely to have uncontrolled high blood pressure as their white peers, increasing their risk of heart-related complications during pregnancy. Food insecurity was also a significant issue among Black and Hispanic women, with one in four experiencing food insecurity.
The Blue Food Assessment paper highlights the potential of aquatic foods to address nutrient deficiencies and cardiovascular disease. Policymakers can explore online tools and blue food policies to improve national food systems' performance and sustainability.
A feasibility study suggests that Iceland can produce enough Spirulina to feed six million Europeans every year, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and freshwater withdrawals. The country's industrial-scale biomass cultivation system powered by renewable energy could support Northern European countries in achieving protein self-sufficie...
Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science & Technology have developed a two-step process that cuts food waste by reducing microbial growth. The treatment, which combines UV-C irradiation and vacuum sealing, extends shelf life by 67% for animal products like salmon, and up to 124% for strawberries.
A study published in a book highlights the concentration of land ownership in Brazil, which leads to rural conflicts and violence. The authors argue that the rural population is drastically underrepresented in politics and lacks formal representation to defend its interests.
Adults living in neighborhoods with dense fast food and unhealthy food environments, known as
A recent study from Cornell University found that visual depictions of food pantry offerings, including brand names, have an ameliorative effect on negative product perceptions. The research also revealed that participants' pantry use history plays a role in their assessment of the quality of the food pantry products.
A new study reveals Iceland's potential to become a protein self-sufficient nation, producing hundreds of thousands of tonnes of biomass while mitigating over 700 million tons of CO2 emissions. This could significantly reduce Europe's reliance on imported protein-rich feed crops and enhance food security.
A new study from Uppsala University found that early introduction of solid foods to infants leads to an earlier end to breastfeeding and a shorter duration of breastfeeding. The research involved 1,251 infants and their mothers, with nearly half receiving tastings as early as four months.
Researchers analyzed ancient teeth from Homo erectus and great apes to reveal annual cycles in tooth enamel, providing insights into their diets and seasonal food supplies. The study shows that humans and great apes had distinct dietary patterns, with humans exhibiting less pronounced peaks and lower Sr/Ca values.
New research from the University of Sheffield reveals genetically modifying rice to reduce stomata can make it more salt-resistant and survive in environments with high salt levels. This adaptation could help tackle food insecurity caused by climate change.
A recent study by Wake Forest University School of Medicine found that families experiencing food insecurity have significantly higher health care expenditures. The research analyzed data from the 2016 and 2017 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey and found an annual difference of about $2,456 between food-secure and food-insecure families.
The NSF Convergence Accelerator program invests $11M in solutions for vulnerable communities, with UMBC's Lauren Clay awarded $624K to develop the Food Index for Resilience. This index will measure food system functioning in communities and support disaster response and recovery.
A study suggests that high fertiliser prices could lead to an additional 100 million people being undernourished, with up to one million deaths annually. The war in Ukraine has disrupted food exports, but energy and fertiliser price spikes are the primary drivers of food price rises.
A UCR-led analysis recommends culturally sensitive mental health screenings for schools, focusing on identifying social determinants of health and strengths. These screenings can help schools build resilience, address needs like food insecurity, and combat disproportionate referrals for special education or exclusionary discipline.
A recent study by University College London reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated mental health issues and food insecurity among individuals living with obesity. Nearly half of participants reported worsening mental health, while nearly a third experienced severe depression. Food insecurity also increased significantly, wi...
A team of scientists from Michigan State University conducted a study to track the supply and demand of fish in sub-Saharan Africa, revealing surprising gaps in traditional analysis. The research found that smaller fish species like usipa were more widely available than larger species like chambo, but policies were prioritizing the lat...
A new study by Bournemouth University found that young adults in the UK are willing to change their diet for environmental reasons, but many are unclear about what changes to make. The research highlights the need for greater awareness and knowledge about sustainable diets and their impact on the environment.
A new index reveals North England neighborhoods with the highest risk of food insecurity, particularly in urban areas such as Wirral and Blackpool. The map can help local authorities target support to households most at risk during the cost of living crisis.