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Description

Background: Food insecurity (FI) is a key social determinant of health associated with adverse chronic disease outcomes; however, its relationship with asthma morbidity remains insufficiently synthesized. Nevada experiences persistently high FI rates alongside elevated asthma-related emergency department (ED) utilization, particularly among Medicaid-enrolled and rural populations. Methods: This narrative review was conducted in accordance with the Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles (SANRA). A structured PubMed search identified peer-reviewed studies examining associations between FI and asthma-related outcomes. Two independent reviewers screened studies and developed a literature matrix to extract data on study design, populations, FI measurement, and asthma outcomes. Evidence was synthesized across pediatric and adult populations. Results: Across cross-sectional, longitudinal, and health services studies, FI was consistently associated with higher asthma prevalence, poorer control, increased wheezing, reduced lung function, and greater acute care utilization. Pediatric studies showed increased odds of asthma among food-insecure households, with longitudinal evidence suggesting critical exposure windows in early and middle childhood. Among adults, FI was strongly linked to uncontrolled asthma and increased ED use. Participation in nutrition assistance programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), was associated with reduced healthcare utilization. Proposed mechanisms include psychosocial stress, poor diet quality, obesity, systemic inflammation, and barriers to medication adherence and preventive care. Conclusions: FI is a significant and modifiable risk factor for asthma morbidity across the life course. In Nevada, integrating FI screening and nutrition resource referrals into asthma care may reduce preventable exacerbations and ED utilization. Multisectoral strategies are needed to advance asthma equity.

Publisher Location

Las Vegas (Nev.)

Publication Date

Spring 4-17-2026

Publisher

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

Keywords

food insecurity; asthma; shortage; equity; food

Disciplines

Community Health and Preventive Medicine | Medicine and Health Sciences | Public Health

File Format

PDF

File Size

573 KB

Comments

Mentor: Kavita Batra

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

When the Pantry Is Empty, the Airways Suffer: Food Insecurity and Asthma Outcomes Across the Life Course


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