SNAP Participation and Reduced Hospital Utilization
An Effective Practice
Description
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the nation’s largest anti–food insecurity program, serving approximately 1 in 7 Americans. SNAP provides a monthly near-cash benefit to participants that supplements household budgets by allowing food purchases, with some restrictions. In other studies SNAP has been shown to reduce the severity and the duration of food-insecurity episodes for individuals enrolled. Study assessed whether SNAP participation was associated with health care utilization or cost among low-income older adults in Maryland. Meals were not delivered.
Goal / Mission
This study sought to examine whether Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation and benefit levels are associated with reduced subsequent hospital and emergency department utilization in low-income older adults
Results / Accomplishments
SNAP participants were 1.5% less likely to incur an inpatient hospital expense. Among those hospitalized, SNAP participants had 5.8% lower expenses than nonparticipants.
Study team estimates that expanding SNAP benefits to the 25,018 nonparticipants in 2012 could have been associated with total savings of $19 million from averted hospital admissions and less costly stays.
Study team estimates that expanding SNAP benefits to the 25,018 nonparticipants in 2012 could have been associated with total savings of $19 million from averted hospital admissions and less costly stays.
About this Promising Practice
Primary Contact
Laura J. Samuel
Department of Acute and Chronic Care, Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland.
lsamue11@jhu.edu
Department of Acute and Chronic Care, Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland.
lsamue11@jhu.edu
Topics
Health / Health Care Access & Quality
Health / Older Adults
Health / Older Adults
Source
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/pop.2017.0055
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