Instructions
For this assignment, you will examine a safety net program or legal protection that supports health, analyze the role and adequacy of the program in addressing social determinants of health; promoting population health, and reducing health disparities; and describe the gaps in the program/protection.
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Choose one of the following:
Temporary Helpance for Needy Families (TANF)
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Social Security Insurance (SSI)
Unemployment Insurance (UI)
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
Medicaid
Supplemental Nutrition Helpance Program (SNAP)
Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
National School Breakfast and School Lunch Programs
Housing Helpance (public housing or Section 8) through HUD
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You should include:
1. Introduce your paper with a general statement about the paper, then a purpose statement. A purpose statement starts with: The purpose of this paper is to discuss . . . . then the key elements of what you are going to discuss. This should identify and describe the program/legal protection you will be discussing.
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2. Discuss the following: 1) What is the background for this program? How did it come about? 2) What social determinants of health are addressed through this program/protection and how? 3) Who is eligible for this program/protection?
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3. 1) What are the limitations/gaps in the program/protection? How do these limitations/gaps fail individual members or groups within the population? 2) What can we, as nurses, do to encourage the use of these programs/protections and what can we do if a patient is ineligible? Are there alternatives we can recommend or connections we can facilitate?
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4. End the paper with a 3-5 sentence conclusion that summarizes your thoughts.
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Word limits
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Your paper should be a minimum of 600 words, and not more than 750 words.
Your paper should be in proper 7th Edition APA Format and include a title page and properly formatted references.
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References:
A minimum of 5 peer-reviewed references (only one can be course materials) https://www.ohio.edu/library/
Introduction:
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the Supplemental Nutrition Helpance Program (SNAP) and its role in addressing social determinants of health, promoting population health, and reducing health disparities. SNAP is a federal Helpance program that provides nutrition Helpance to low-income individuals and families in the United States.
Background:
SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, was established in 1964 as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty. The program was designed to provide Helpance to individuals and families with limited income to purchase food. Today, SNAP is the largest nutrition Helpance program in the United States, serving over 42 million people in 2020.
Social Determinants of Health Addressed:
SNAP addresses several social determinants of health, including food insecurity and malnutrition. By providing Helpance to low-income individuals and families, SNAP helps ensure access to nutritious food and can improve health outcomes. Additionally, SNAP benefits can have positive spillover effects on other social determinants of health, such as education and employment.
Eligibility:
To be eligible for SNAP, individuals must meet certain income and asset requirements. The income limit is set at 130% of the federal poverty level, which in 2021 was $16,744 for a household of one and $34,588 for a household of four. Additionally, households must have less than $2,250 in countable resources, such as bank accounts and vehicles.
Limitations/Gaps:
Despite its effectiveness in addressing food insecurity and improving health outcomes, SNAP has several limitations and gaps. One limitation is the stigma associated with receiving SNAP benefits, which can deter eligible individuals from applying. Additionally, the benefit amount may not be sufficient to cover the full cost of a household’s food needs. Finally, certain populations, such as undocumented immigrants and some legal immigrants, are not eligible for SNAP benefits.
Nursing Interventions:
As nurses, we can encourage eligible individuals to apply for SNAP benefits and help reduce the stigma associated with receiving Helpance. We can also educate patients on how to maximize their benefits by using them to purchase nutritious foods. In cases where patients are ineligible for SNAP benefits, we can provide information on alternative resources, such as food pantries and community-based organizations.
Conclusion:
SNAP plays a vital role in addressing food insecurity and improving health outcomes for low-income individuals and families. However, limitations and gaps in the program can prevent eligible individuals from receiving Helpance. As nurses, we can play a role in addressing these gaps and ensuring that all individuals have access to nutritious food.
