John Hopkins researchers have discovered that public health initiatives like federal food security programmes have favourable effects on outcomes for maternal health as well. Mainly, federal food security initiatives are intended to reduce monthly food expenditures for low-income households and provide access to nutrient-dense foods, but this research has unlocked another advantage. According to the US Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provided assistance to close to 6.2 million individuals per month in 2021, as stated by the study’s authors. Researchers found that participation in WIC was associated with a reduced risk of premature birth, low birth weight, and infant death.
Read More from PatientEngagement
