Cure8 research brief
Food insecurity was linked with higher odds of having IBD and other GI conditions in a large U.S. survey, and many affected people lacked benefits or cancer screening. This matters because access to sufficient nutritious food and social supports can affect disease management and overall health for people with IBD.
Adults with IBD or other GI conditions, primary and GI clinicians, social workers, dietitians, and caregivers working with patients facing economic hardship.
This population-based analysis of 2023–2024 National Health Interview Survey data found that food insecurity was more common among U.S. adults reporting gastrointestinal conditions and was associated with higher odds of IBD and hepatitis after adjusting for sociodemographic factors.
The authors report that many people with GI conditions who were food-insecure were not receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits and that colorectal cancer screening rates were low in this group. The study highlights screening for food insecurity and connecting patients to social supports as potential care priorities.
These findings come from a cross-sectional survey and show associations, not causal effects. The analysis adjusts for multiple factors but cannot determine whether food insecurity contributes to developing GI disease or is a consequence of disease-related financial strain.
Clinics and community programs might consider routine screening for food insecurity and referral pathways to nutrition and social services for patients with IBD and other GI conditions.
This study is a cross-sectional analysis of national survey data (NHIS 2023–2024). Associations do not prove causation. The abstract reports adjusted odds ratios and highlights gaps in assistance and screening; the full paper would be needed for detailed methods and subgroup analyses.
Review the original publication for the complete reporting, methods, and context.
This Cure8 brief is based on source text from the linked article. Cure8 is informational only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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