How SNAP benefits affect health and disparities across groups
Official title: Growth and decline in SNAP generosity: Outcomes across populations
Funded at Brandeis University · NIH-11327643 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant will look at how nutrition assistance (like SNAP) influences health outcomes and disparities among people of different races and abilities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brandeis University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Waltham, United States) |
| Project start | September 21, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,258,850 |
| NIH project number | 4R01MD019025-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11327643 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals experiencing food insecurity who are recipients or potential recipients of SNAP, particularly racial/ethnic minorities and people with disabilities.
✕Less likely to help
Some individuals may not experience noticeable health benefits in the study period due to other health conditions or limited access to care.
What this research studies
Researchers at Brandeis University will use real-world data to see if SNAP benefits change healthcare quality, use of services, and costs, especially for racial/ethnic minorities and people with disabilities. The study treats SNAP changes as a natural experiment to observe effects on health outcomes and disparities. The goal is to identify which groups benefit most and where gaps remain so policies can be improved to reduce health disparities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could inform policies to optimize nutrition assistance and reduce healthcare disparities for vulnerable populations.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier research shows SNAP can reduce food insecurity, but its effects on healthcare outcomes across groups are still being clarified.
Where this research is happening
-
Brandeis University
Waltham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sonik, Rajan Anthony — Brandeis University
- Study coordinator: Sonik, Rajan Anthony
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.