"One of the reasons why people attack SNAP is because of the mistaken belief that communities of color are just living off these benefits when we realize that instead, that's not the truth," said Gina Plata-Nino, SNAP deputy director at the Food Research & Action Center, who did not participate in this study.
The reduction in racial disparities could have a broad impact on inequities in healthcare, as a reduction in food insecurity could lessen the prevalence of numerous health conditions and lower healthcare expenses. "Even though SNAP is a federal program, the states are responsible for administering it, and there's wide variation in terms of whether states allow people to easily navigate their websites, if there's trouble finding large print forms that people with visual impairments might need, or access to helplines," Samuel said.
Even though Black and multiracial households enrolled in SNAP at higher rates according to the study, geographical factors disproportionately impacting these communities such as food deserts and less access to community assistance could factor into why total SNAP enrollment was just 55%.