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Financial Hardship and Household Food Insecurity During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence From the Panel Study of
Lori Kowaleski-Jones1, Caren J Frost2, Taylor Holladay1
1Department of Family and Consumer Studies, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
American Journal of Health Promotion : AJHP
|August 8, 2026
Summary
Pandemic financial hardship significantly increased food insecurity (FI) for US households. This impact was disproportionately higher for Black respondents, highlighting unequal effects of the pandemic on vulnerable populations.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Sociology
- Economics
Background:
- Food insecurity (FI) in the U.S. has fluctuated during COVID-19, with initial increases and widening disparities.
- Limited longitudinal data has hindered the examination of FI trajectories.
- Understanding the link between financial hardship and FI is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine household-level changes in U.S. food insecurity (FI) from pre-pandemic to pandemic periods.
- To evaluate the relationship between pandemic-induced financial hardship (FH) and FI.
- To test for mediating and moderating effects of FH on FI.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) for 8097 adults (2019 and 2021 waves).
- Measured FI using the U.S. Food Security Survey Module and FH using a dichotomous measure.
- Employed t-tests to chart changes in FI and logistic regression to assess the association between FH and FI.
Main Results:
- Pandemic financial hardship (FH) was significantly associated with experiencing food insecurity (FI) (OR = 4.83, P < .01).
- Females, Hispanic Americans, single households, and those with less than a college degree reported higher FI in 2021.
- Black respondents experiencing FH were nearly 3 times more likely to experience FI.
Conclusions:
- Pandemic-induced financial hardship has a significant and unequal impact on household food insecurity.
- Findings underscore the relevance of financial hardship in shaping food insecurity outcomes.
- The study provides early evidence of the pandemic's disparate effects on vulnerable populations.
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