1. SNAP reductions are linked to increased food insecurity.

Evidence: Cutting SNAP can lead to a lack of food

2. An increase in food insecurity has been connected to a rise in heart-related deaths among adults younger than 65.

Evidence: Worsening food insecurity can harm heart health

3. State policies to increase SNAP participation have been associated with a lower rise in diabetes prevalence.

Evidence: States that made it easier to enroll in SNAP saw county diabetes rates rise more slowly

4. SNAP participants had fewer inpatient admissions and lower health care costs among older adults dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, leading to $2,360 lower annual Medicaid spending per person.

Evidence: Older adults on SNAP had fewer hospitalizations, ER visits, and lower Medicaid costs than similar seniors not in the program

5. Food-insecure children face more physical and mental health problems compared with food-secure peers.

Evidence: Food insecurity was related to acute and chronic health problems, and forgone care and more emergency department use, for children

6. SNAP participation has been linked to lower premature deaths from all causes among adults ages 40–64.

Evidence: Participation in SNAP led to a population wide reduction of 1–2 percentage points in mortality

For more, read a briefing delivered to U.S. Representative GT Thompson’s staff on the health implications of SNAP.

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