SORRY, NOT FOR YOU
In 2013, the Food and Drug Administration removed age restrictions on the over-the-counter sale of emergency contraception (EC). In this study, female researchers posing as 17-year-olds called pharmacies in five cities, and were told that EC was available in only 83% of the pharmacies. Pharmacies located in low-income neighborhoods gave misinformation and denied availability based on age more often than those in high-income areas. While this might not reflect what would happen at an in-person visit, barriers to access remain for adolescents despite change in FDA policy.
NEW FACES, NEW PLACES
In the past decade, we’ve seen the unprecedented dispersal of recent Latino, Black, and Asian immigrants into metropolitan areas with historically small immigrant populations. This analysis shows that recently legalized immigrants settling in “new” immigrant centers like Kansas City are more likely to live in areas with more Whites and fewer poor neighbors than those arriving in established immigrant cities like Chicago. Where a person lives matters. Residential location is a powerful determinant of many economic and social resources. It will be interesting to watch the life trajectories of our most recent arrivals.
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THE COST OF KIDS' NUTRITION
A new USDA rule requires meal providers participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) to serve more whole grains, fruits, and vegetables as snacks. These programs serve over 4 million children daily in the United States and include child-care centers, after-school programs, and adult day care homes.
A September 2017 report by the Pew Charitable Trust found that improving food variety and quality comes at a cost beyond the reach of some meal providers. The figure above shows that incorporating more nutritious food can drive up daily per-child costs for providers by 26 cents. Snacks make up 36% of meals served by CACFP enrollees, and must incorporate at least two of the following: vegetables, fruits, grains, meat or meat alternatives, and fluid milk. Additionally, the new rule emphasizes serving low-fat milk and whole-grain foods, which can further increase cost.
Although CACFP reimburses participating meal providers, those in lower income settings may not have sufficient funds to purchase whole grain-rich and low-fat foods. One program serving about 200 children reported weekly costs rising by $200.
CACFP’s current reimbursement system limits compliance with the new USDA rule because some programs cannot afford to increase food spending. As a result, lower income providers may withdraw from the program, affecting the children they serve. Researchers recommend that state agencies and sponsors help providers implement the rule by offering training and resources to manage finances, especially when expenses continuously exceed revenue. — Sampada Nandyala, PHP Fellow
Image: Healthier Nutrition Standards Benefit Kids, Kids’ Safe and Healthful Food Project, Figure 13, p. 57.
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