Premium
Food Insecurity and Cost‐related Medication Non‐adherence in Low‐income Older Adults in Northeast Georgia
Author(s) -
Bengle Rebecca Anne,
Johnson Tommy,
Johnson Mary Ann,
Lee Jung Sun
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.23.1_supplement.108.6
Subject(s) - food insecurity , food security , environmental health , medicine , medical prescription , pill , supplemental nutrition assistance program , low income , gerontology , socioeconomics , geography , nursing , archaeology , sociology , agriculture
Low‐income older adults are at increased risk of cutting back on basic needs, including food and medication. This study examined food insecurity and cost‐related medication non‐adherence (CRN) in a randomly selected sample of senior center participants in northeast Georgia (n=137, age 77.3±8.8 years, 82.5%women, 44.8% black). Food insecurity was assessed using the 10‐item USDA Household Food Security Survey Module. Practice of 5 CRN behaviors (e.g. splitting pills, skipping doses) and 9 other prescription cost‐cutting (PCC) behaviors (e.g. seeking free samples, importing prescriptions) over the last month were evaluated. About 8% of participants were food insecure, while 9% and 32% had utilized one or more CRN and cost‐cutting strategies, respectively. Food insecure participants were more likely to be black, less educated, and at nutritional risk. Those who practiced CRN were more likely to be at nutritional risk and to practice PCC strategies. Food insecure participants were about 14 times more likely to practice one or more CRN behaviors than their counterparts even after controlling for potential confounders. Food insecure older adults were unable to meet not only basic food needs but also basic prescription needs. Improving food security is important for low‐income older adults in order to promote adherence to recommended medication management. Funding: ADA Healthy Aging DPG Student Research Award