New national data show that food insecurity worsens long COVID outcomes, but nutrition support programs like SNAP could help break the cycle.
A recent study in JAMA Network Open highlights the link between food insecurity and long COVID. Researchers surveyed adults in the U.S. to see how access to food affects the chances of having lasting COVID symptoms.
Findings revealed that those with food insecurity were 73% more likely to have ongoing long COVID symptoms. Additionally, these individuals had a 30% lower chance of recovery. However, participation in food assistance programs like SNAP appeared to improve these outcomes. This suggests that tackling food insecurity can be crucial to reducing the impact of long COVID.
Commonly known as long COVID, this condition affects people who continue to experience symptoms like fatigue and breathlessness even three months after recovering from the initial infection. An estimated 10% of those who had symptomatic COVID-19 face long-lasting effects, impacting over 65 million globally. Identifying risk factors can help improve recovery for many.
While much research has focused on the medical side of long COVID, the role of social factors like food insecurity remains less explored. Food insecurity refers to not having reliable access to nutritious food. It’s linked to chronic health issues, making individuals more vulnerable to conditions like long COVID.
This study aimed to fill that gap by analyzing data from the 2022–2023 National Health Interview Survey, which included 21,631 Americans who had COVID-19. Researchers categorized participants into food secure and food insecure groups and looked at whether they currently had long COVID or had recovered.
Results confirmed a significant link between food security and long COVID. Those in the food-insecure group were much more likely to have ongoing symptoms and less likely to recover. Interestingly, individuals who participated in SNAP or were unemployed showed less severe effects from food insecurity.
There’s a noticeable pattern: those receiving more COVID vaccine doses had a lower likelihood of long COVID, further supporting the study’s findings. Moreover, around 40% of food-insecure adults living below the poverty line were not enrolled in SNAP, indicating gaps in access to these vital resources.
The study underscores the importance of addressing food insecurity as a way to improve long COVID outcomes. It also highlights the feedback loop between health and socio-economic status, where worsening health can limit the ability to work, thus exacerbating financial strain.
In summary, food security plays a significant role in the risk and recovery of long COVID. Programs like SNAP can be key interventions, providing essential support to those in need. While this study cannot infer direct cause-and-effect relationships, it suggests a critical area for public health policy.
For more on the research, check out the full article: JAMA Network Open.
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Food, Chronic, covid-19, Diabetes, Fatigue, Heart, Heart Disease, Nutrition, Poverty, Public Health
