Food insecurity trends and disparities according to immigration status in the US households, 2011–2021

Background

Food insecurity related to immigration status remains largely underexplored. This study examined trends and disparities in household food insecurity by immigration status in the United States (US).

Methods

We analyzed data from 427,942 households from the US Current Population Survey Food Security Supplement from 2011 to 2021. Immigration status categories included recent immigrants (< 5 years), long-term immigrants (≥ 5 years), naturalized citizens, and US-born citizens. Food insecurity was assessed using validated questions on consistent access to enough food for an active and healthy life.

Results

From 2011 to 2021, food insecurity prevalence declined from 14.9 % (95 % CI, 14.5 %–15.3 %) to 10.2 % (95 % CI, 9.8 %–10.6 %). Among recent immigrants, prevalence decreased from 25.2 % (95 % CI, 23.1–27.4) in 2011 to 15.0 % (95 % CI, 12.8 %–17.2 %) in 2019, then increased to 17.7 % (95 % CI, 14.7 %–20.2 %) in 2020 and 17.4 % (95 % CI, 14.7 %–20.2 %) in 2021. Long-term immigrants' prevalence dropped from 20.4 % (95 % CI, 16.9 %–24.0 %) in 2011 to 10.2 % (95 % CI, 7.2 %–13.1 %) in 2018, then increased to 17.7 % (95 % CI, 13.7 %–21.7 %) in 2021. Naturalized citizens' prevalence decreased from 14.4 % (95 % CI, 12.9 %–15.9 %) to 9.5 % (95 % CI, 8.2 %–10.9 %). US-born citizens' prevalence decreased from 14.2 % (95 % CI, 13.8 %–14.6 %) to 9.7 % (95 % CI, 9.3 %–10.2 %). Compared to the US-born citizens, the adjusted prevalence ratio was 1.63 (95 % CI,1.57–1.69) for recent immigrants, 1.22 (95 % CI, 1.13–1.31) for long-term immigrants, and 0.94 (95 % CI, 0.90–0.98) for naturalized citizens. Significant disparities exist in subgroups.

Conclusions

The findings provide insights for stakeholders to address food insecurity among vulnerable immigrant groups in the US.