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Poor health and food insecurity among food assistance recipients: Evidence from France

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  • Vandroux, Romane
  • Wolff, François-Charles

Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between food insecurity and poor health among food assistance recipients in France using a dataset collected in 2021 from nearly 4,000 respondents. For these individuals from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, food assistance may eliminate the association between food insecurity and health reported in surveys of the general population. Regression estimates show a strong positive association between food insecurity and poor health (self-reported health, chronic disease, activity limitation). This correlation is significantly higher for native respondents than for migrants. After accounting for the endogeneity of food insecurity through a free-instrument approach that estimates bounds, we confirm the positive association between food insecurity and poor health. The low frequency of visits to food banks may explain why food insecurity persists among participants and continues to affect health.

Suggested Citation

  • Vandroux, Romane & Wolff, François-Charles, 2025. "Poor health and food insecurity among food assistance recipients: Evidence from France," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jfpoli:v:134:y:2025:i:c:s0306919225001009
    DOI: 10.1016/j.foodpol.2025.102895
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs

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