Food insecurity of people with disabilities who were Medicare beneficiaries during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, 54 million people in the United States were food insecure (2020). People with disabilities (PWD) who were Medicare beneficiaries were especially vulnerable to food insecurity prior to the pandemic. Objective The aim of this study was to explore COVID-19 pandemic food insecurity among PWD who were Medicare beneficiaries. Methods We conducted a secondary analysis of the United States Census Bureau COVID-19 Household Pulse Survey data about the food security of 70,171 PWD who were Medicare beneficiaries (under 65), and a comparison group of 1.1 million non-Medicare beneficiaries (under 65). Data were weighted using frequency person-weights. Results Only 44.3% of PWD who were Medicare beneficiaries had enough of the foods they wanted to eat during the pandemic. Reasons for food insecurity included: could not afford to purchase more food (56.9%); stores did not have the food they wanted (31.4%); afraid to go out to get more food (30.0%); could not get out to get more food (21.5%); and could not get food delivered (8.5%). PWD who were Medicare beneficiaries were more likely to be food insecure than non-Medicare beneficiaries. There were also disparities in food insecurity among PWD who were Medicare beneficiaries themselves with household size, Medicaid beneficiaries, gender, race, education, martial status, household income, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) all impacting food security. Conclusions A multipronged approach that addresses not only food-related public health, but also other systems and structures is critical to end food insecurity.

Psychosocial Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Women with Spinal Cord Injury

“…Although many reported serious negative impacts, at the time of this study, respondents appeared to have been spared other significant, if not life threatening, difficulties experienced by other people with disabilities. For example, while others reported food insecurities during the pandemic [41,42], none of our respondents identified food scarcity as a problem. Since our sample of women had the resources to participate in an online study, perhaps they also had the financial advantages to secure food.…”

The mental health of Medicare beneficiaries with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“…Our study suggests almost half of Medicare beneficiaries with disabilities had symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder and more than one-third major depressive disorder during the pandemic. Research indicates Medicare beneficiaries with disabilities faced many of the same issues and challenges other populations did during the pandemic (ANCOR Foundation & United Cerebral Palsy, 2021; Embregts et al, 2020; Friedman, 2021; Keppler, 2020; Meyersohn, 2020; Pettinicchio et al, 2021; Pinilla-Roncancio & Alkire, 2021; Pottie & Sumarah, 2004; Pulrang, 2020a; Simplican et al, 2015); however, they also did so while grappling with ableism, and the stress, trauma, and deadly consequences that come with it (Abberley, 1987; Andrews et al, 2019; Autistic Self Advocacy Network, 2020; Barnes, 1997; Bogart & Dunn, 2019; Boyle et al, 2020; Bradley, 2020; Chakraborty, 2021; Dunn, 2019; Friedman, 2019; Gathright, 2020; Kumari-Campbell, 2009; Li, 2020; Oakley et al, 2020; Pulrang, 2020a, 2020b; Shakespeare, 1996; Trent, 1994).…”

Disability, food insecurity, and nutritional assistance in the context of COVID-19 pandemic: Interrogating the role of perceived everyday discrimination.

“…Additionally, people with disabilities tend to experience more severe levels of food insecurity than those who are not disabled (Coleman-Jensen & Nord, 2013). For example, Friedman (2021) found that 55.7% of people with disabilities who were Medicare beneficiaries did not have enough of the foods they wanted to eat during the pandemic, mostly because they were unable to afford them (56.9%), stores did not carry them (31.4%), and they feared going out (30.0%).…”