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Disability and food insecurity in Aotearoa New Zealand: a population-based analysis
Mershen Pillay1, Rosario Jupiterwala2, Júlio César Pereira3
1Massey University, Institute of Education, Speech and Language Therapy Programme, Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand.
Aim:
This study investigates the relationship between disability and food insecurity in Aotearoa New Zealand, exploring how different types and complexities of disabilities relate to food security status.
Method:
Adult data from the 2019/2020 New Zealand Health Survey were analysed, with the Washington Group Short Set questions collecting information on six disability domains (visual, hearing, walking, memory/concentration, washing/dressing and communication), and a New Zealand-specific eight-item questionnaire assessing food security status. Exploratory data analysis and modified Poisson regression models were employed.
Results:
Our analysis revealed that 27.4% of disabled people experience food insecurity compared with 11.6% of non-disabled people. Disability was significantly associated with food insecurity, and the risk of experiencing food insecurity increased with the complexity of disability, with individuals having multiple disabilities facing substantially higher risk. Pacific and Māori people with disabilities experienced disproportionately higher rates of food insecurity (57% and 35% respectively).
Conclusion:
Disability is associated with food insecurity in New Zealand, emphasising the need for targeted interventions and policies that consider disability type, complexity and intersecting identities when addressing food security challenges.
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