OBJECTIVES: The recent changes to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility in the United States (US) is likely to affect the health and nutritional needs of people under poverty. The objective of this study was to assess the clinical and socio-demographic characteristics of the at-risk population

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using the 2018 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) database. People aged 18 to 65 years were who availed SNAP benefits for ≥2 months were considered. Patients with social security or disability income were excluded. Patients who worked less than 20 hours in the last week were considered to be at risk. The clinical and demographic characteristics of the people at-risk was assessed.

RESULTS: The final sample consisted of 241 people who represent 1,117,176 people at risk. The mean age of the cohort was 36.93(SE=0.94) years with majority being female (66.61%(SE=3.25%)), white (64.98%(SE=3.81%)), and from South (38.86%(SE=2.23%)). Further, (46.77%(SE=3.91%)) were below the federal poverty level and (4.71%(SE=1.47%)) had poor health status. In this population, only (19.53%(SE=2.67%)) people were married, and (23.13%(SE=2.94%)) people had no insurance coverage. Moreover, (29.70%(SE=3.28%)) people had at least one priority chronic condition of which (3.32%(SE=1.30%)) people had cancer, (5.57%(SE=1.53%)) had diabetes, (14.66%(SE=2.40%)) had arthritis related problems, (10.55%(SE=2.03%)) had asthma, (5.92%(SE=1.60%)) had heart related condition, and (15.85%(SE=2.54%)) had hypertension.

CONCLUSIONS: The patients at-risk of losing SNAP benefit have significant clinical burden and are also vulnerable to improper nutrition due poverty.