Files
Abstract
Food insecurity, defined as limited or uncertain access to nutritionally adequate and safe food, disproportionately affects households with members who have disabilities. Some of these households face hunger, a severe form of food insecurity marked by reduced food intake and disrupted eating patterns. Adults with disabilities often encounter more significant health challenges due to chronic conditions and barriers to healthcare access. This study investigates the differences in food insecurity and hunger between individuals with and without disabilities, while also examining various demographic factors. It specifically analyzes the experiences of food insecurity among different subgroups of people with disabilities. To explore the relationship between disability characteristics within households and food insecurity, data from the 2005-2006 Oregon Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) was analyzed.