Abstract P381: Geographic Variation in Financial Strain and Food Insecurity After the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications for Cardiovascular Health Equity

• DOI: 10.1161/circ.149.suppl_1.p381
• Publication Date: 2024-05-16T14:05:30Z
• Authors: Jewel Scott; Ebony Toussaint; Charles Ellis; Gayenell S Magwood
• Keywords: Pandemic; Equity; 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak; Geographic variation

Reduced food security is associated with higher healthcare expenditures and increased risk of coronary heart disease, angina, attacks, hypertension. State-level responses to the COVID-19 pandemic support policies may contribute regional differences in financial strain insecurity, which could have implications for cardiovascular outcomes. Hypothesis: We assessed hypothesis that there geographic variation insecurity United States three years after start pandemic. Methods: This study utilizes weighted data from U. S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey Phase 3.10 conducted August 23 - September 4, 2023. organized according Department Health Human Services regions Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City, Denver, San Francisco, Seattle. Food was measured using a single survey item about having sufficient eat last 7 days. Financial defined as difficulty paying expenses seven Results: There were 254,966,752 adults total sample population, (59%) reported due The Atlanta region most (13%), while Denver least (2%), p-value=0.000. rate highest at 8% compared 5% or less other regions, Among 8 states region, Black individuals disproportionately more likely be insecure, greatest difference Kentucky, Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina. All had similar odds but Mississippi residents nearly twice experience than (OR 1.87, p =0.016). Conclusions: (i.e., “Deep South”) consists populous non-Hispanic people experiencing worst post-pandemic. economic toll post-pandemic inflation worsening outcomes already burdened by poor health. Multilevel intervention needed full recovery avoid exacerbating inequities disease.