Project: Food Sufficiency, Food Stamp Program Participation and the Health of the Elderly
Award Year: 2003
Amount of award, fiscal 2003: $80,000.00
Institution: Cornell University
Principal Investigator: Christine Ranney
Status: Completed
Detailed Objective: The increasing proportion of elderly in the population, as well as the rising life expectancy, pose a challenge to policymakers responsible for planning for the food assistance needs of low-income elderly. This study will examine the relationships among participation in the Food Stamp Program, food insufficiency, and health of the elderly in the United States.

The study will analyze panel data from the Health and Retirement Survey. In addition to descriptive analyses, econometric analyses using multivariate and simultaneous equation models will be conducted. A better understanding of the simultaneous effects of program participation and food insufficiency on elderly health may aid in planning policy interventions to improve the well-being of this vulnerable age group as they become a larger share of the population.

Topic: Elderly, Food Security, SNAP/Food Stamp Program