78 - Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Food Insecurity in Bronx, New York

Poster Number: 78
Publication Number: 78.106

Jonathan Friedman, Jacobi Pediatric Emergency Department, astoria, NY, United States; Stephen Blumberg, Jacobi Medical Center/ Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Melvile, NY, United States; James Meltzer, Jacobi Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States

Background: Food insecurity is an important issue for families in the United States, and has likely worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. In Bronx, NY there is a substantial level of food insecurity at baseline. The Bronx has been affected by high rates of COVID-19 disease and it is unclear how this has impacted food insecurity and whether there are identifiable risk factors associated with worsening food insecurity.

Objective: To describe how the pandemic impacted food insecurity in a vulnerable population, and to identify risk factors associated with worsening food insecurity.

Design/Methods: We conducted an observational cross-sectional study of parents with children < 18 years of age who presented to an academic urban Pediatric Emergency Department in Bronx, NY between May and December 2021. Parents were asked to complete a brief written survey based on a previously validated 2-question screen for food insecurity, with additional questions pertaining to illness in the family, changes to employment status, changes in utilization of governmental resources, and barriers to obtaining governmental nutritional support. The primary outcome was the prevalence of intra-pandemic food insecurity. Secondary outcomes included changes in food insecurity status, risk factors for worsening food insecurity, and barriers to obtaining resources.

Results: Of 300 parents who completed the survey, 157 (52%) were currently food insecure. This was a significant difference from those who identified as food insecure prior to the pandemic (97 [32%]; p< 0.001).  Many (96 [32%]) households had a member who contracted COVID-19; 18 (6%) had a household member hospitalized and 8 (3%) died. Families who had a sick household member, when compared to those who did not, were significantly more likely to be currently food insecure (95 [60.5%] vs 62 [39.5%]; p=0.005), as well as have worsening food insecurity (62 [64%] vs 37 [38%]; p< 0.001). Many households (189 [63%]) had a family member lose their job or have reduced work hours during the pandemic; this was significantly associated with both current food insecurity (112 [71%] vs 45 [29%]; p=0.002) and worsening food insecurity (112 [59%] vs 60 [32%], p< 0.001). Common barriers to obtaining governmental support included respondents who were afraid to leave their house (82 [27%]), and did not know if they qualified for support (31 [10%]).Conclusion(s): The COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant increase in food insecurity in an already at-risk population. Certain identifiable risk factors, such as household sickness and changes in employment, may help target these families for intervention.
Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Food Insecurity in Bronx, New YorkCV JF 2021.pdf