Food Insecurity and COVID-19 Vaccination Status and Vaccination Hesitancy in the United States. Issue 2 (April 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Testa, Alexander; Sharma, Bonita B.
• Is Part Of: Family & community health. Volume 46:Issue 2(2023)
• Page Start: 136
• Page End: 142
• Publication Date: 2023-04
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- food insecurity -- health -- vaccination; Preventive health services -- Periodicals; Community health services -- Periodicals; Family medicine -- Periodicals; 362.1
• DOI: 10.1097/FCH.0000000000000357
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0160-6379

Abstract

Abstract : During the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccination hesitancy emerged as a factor that impacted vaccine uptake. In addition, during this period, there was a substantial increase in food insecurity in the United States (US). However, there is a lack of research on the potential connection between food insecurity and COVID-19 vaccine intentions. This study assesses whether experiencing food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with COVID-19 vaccination uptake and vaccination hesitancy. Data were from the 2021 Crime, Health, and Politics Survey, a national probability sample of community-dwelling adults 18 years and older living in the US (N = 1741) conducted from May 10, 2021, to June 1, 2021. Results from multinomial logistic regression analyses found that mild food insecurity and moderate-to-severe food insecurity were associated with an increased relative risk of not planning to get the COVID-19 vaccination compared with having been vaccinated or planning to get vaccinated. Moderate-to-severe food insecurity was associated with an increased risk of being unsure about getting the COVID-19 vaccine. The results suggest that efforts to expand vaccination and health literacy outreach to food-insecure populations are essential steps to promote greater health equity.