According to a study by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, the issue of food insecurity is becoming more prominent among Californians, especially amongst low-income earners. The percentage of adults unable to afford sufficient food rose from 35.8% in 2020 to 44% in 2022, indicating a concerning trend for the state's diverse population, as per Fox LA.
Among working-age adults aged 18 - 64, we have seen the most significant increase in food insecurity. Data from the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) reveals that Latin American adults experienced the most significant rise (9.6%) in food insecurity. Moreover, Black or African American adults and those identifying with multiple races recorded the highest rates in 2022, at 48.6% and 49.9%, respectively.
LAist reports that the CHIS in 2022 included responses from over 21,400 adults, covering a range of topics about Californians' mental and physical health. Besides food insecurity, widespread issues include hate incidents and difficulties accessing healthcare.
Over one in nine adults in the state claims to have been targeted in a hate crime or incident, with Black or African American adults accounting for the highest rate at 26.2%. To quickly access care is also a challenge, with over one in five reporting difficulty-accessing care within two days, reflecting an increase from 12.3% in 2020. Concerningly, a third of adults requiring mental healthcare cited challenges in scheduling appointments as the reason they did not receive support, up from 24.4% in 2021.
Researchers highlight the significant inflation rate of 2021-22 as the root cause of the increasing issue of food insecurity, with 44% of adults earning less than 200% of the federal poverty level ($27,180 in 2022) report to being food insecure. This percentage indicates substantial growth from the 2020 rate of 35.8% and the 2021 rate of 39%.
Despite concentrated efforts towards achieving health equity, the 2022 data highlights continuing disparities in overall well-being within the state. Todd Hughes, director of the California Health Interview Survey, underlines the importance of the survey's findings, stating, "This isn't just a collection of numbers. This is a story of Californians, their challenges, their fears, and their needs. This is the key to shaping a brighter, healthier future for all."
