Navigating Nutrition Inequities: BIPOC Maternal Health and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)'s Fruit and Vegetable Voucher.

Abstract

Introduction: The proposal to administer cuts for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) could create deficiencies in nutrition for already food insecure, low-income Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) pregnant, postpartum women, and children. WIC is a US Department of Agriculturefunded nutritional program for women, infants, and children. The current proposal is to cut the funding by $800 million for the 2024 fiscal year, affecting 75% of its low-income recipients and predominantly BIPOC.

Methods: Relevant websites and journal articles were analyzed to determine how the proposed cuts would create barriers within the social determinants of health that contribute to disparities in health outcomes of WIC recipients.

Results: Many studies have demonstrated that nutrition in the first 1000 days is critical for the healthy development of newborns. Prior research suggests that maternal health outcomes for BIPOC populations are contingent upon the increased allocation of nutritional support programs such as WIC and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). Nutrients provided by the cash benefit voucher have been proven to contribute to participants' health outcomes, and allotment increases can benefit maternal and infant health outcomes.

Conclusion and future directions: Neonatal nurses can help advocate for more robust policies that support the health of their patients. Future directions call for systematic changes in policies and legislation that directly affect maternal health outcomes, supportive breastfeeding policies, and applied research on solutions to improve maternal health outcomes of BIPOC populations in addition to increased awareness, education, and implementation of VeggieRx programs, investment in affordable, sustainable grassroots urban agriculture solutions.