An Exploration of the Unprecedented Decline in the Prevalence of Household Food Insecurity in Newfoundland and Labrador, 2007–2012
Abstract
Abstract
From 2007 to 2011, the prevalence of household food insecurity in Newfoundland and Labrador fell from 15.7 to 10.6 percent. Using data from the Canadian Community Health Survey, we undertook exploratory analyses to identify potential drivers of this unprecedented decline. We found that the decrease could in part be attributed to shifts in household income, but it also reflected a dramatic decline in food insecurity among social assistance recipients. While food insecurity rose in the province overall in 2012, it continued to decline among households receiving social assistance, possibly reflecting the cumulative impact of changes introduced through the province's poverty reduction strategy.
Résumé
De 2007 à 2011, la prévalence de l'insécurité alimentaire des ménages a baissé de 15,7 à 10,6 pour cent à Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador. Dans cet article, à l'aide de données de l'Enquête sur la santé dans les collectivités canadiennes, nous faisons des analyses exploratoires pour déterminer les facteurs qui ont pu contribuer à cette baisse sans précédent. Nos résultats montrent que la baisse pourrait être attribuée en partie à des améliorations des revenus. Toutefois, on observe que l'insécurité alimentaire a également diminué de façon importante chez les ménages recevant de l'aide sociale. De plus, alors que l'insécurité alimentaire a augmenté dans l'ensemble de la province en 2012, elle a continué de diminuer parmi les ménages recevant de l'aide sociale. Cela pourrait être dû aux effets cumulatifs des modifications que la province a apportées à sa stratégie de réduction de la pauvreté.
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Canadian Public Policy
Volume 41 • Number 3 • September 2015
Pages: 191 - 206
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© Canadian Public Policy / Analyse de politiques.
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Published online: 7 August 2015
Published in print: September 2015
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Canadian Public Policy 2015 41:3, 191-206
Canadian Public Policy 2015 41:3, 191-206