Community analysis: Associations between food insecurity & chronic disease among the housing insecure population in Vermont
Abstract
This study examines associations between housing instability, food insecurity, and chronic disease. Data from the Vermont Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (2021-2022), representing a population of 444,444 adults, were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression stratified by housing security was performed. Food insecurity was significantly higher among housing insecure individuals (35.6% vs. 5.1%, p<0.001). Food insecurity was associated with increased odds of chronic diseases, with COPD showing the strongest association in both housing-secure (AOR=3.1) and housing-insecure groups (AOR=3.8). Arthritis and CVD were also significantly associated with food insecurity regardless of housing status. Findings highlight the detrimental impact of housing and food insecurity on health outcomes.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
David Conner
Status
Graduate
Student College
College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Program/Major
Public Health
Primary Research Category
Social Science
Community analysis: Associations between food insecurity & chronic disease among the housing insecure population in Vermont
This study examines associations between housing instability, food insecurity, and chronic disease. Data from the Vermont Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (2021-2022), representing a population of 444,444 adults, were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression stratified by housing security was performed. Food insecurity was significantly higher among housing insecure individuals (35.6% vs. 5.1%, p<0.001). Food insecurity was associated with increased odds of chronic diseases, with COPD showing the strongest association in both housing-secure (AOR=3.1) and housing-insecure groups (AOR=3.8). Arthritis and CVD were also significantly associated with food insecurity regardless of housing status. Findings highlight the detrimental impact of housing and food insecurity on health outcomes.
