How SNAP food benefits affect heart and blood vessel health in low-income adults
The impact of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program on the cardiovascular health of low-income adults
This project looks at whether receiving SNAP food assistance helps improve heart and blood vessel health for low-income adults in the United States.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11248748 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my point of view as someone this could affect, the team will compare adults who do and do not receive SNAP benefits and look at state rules that make it easier or harder to get SNAP. They will link information on SNAP participation and state policies to health records and population data to see differences in heart disease, strokes, and related risk factors. The researchers will explore possible reasons for any effects, such as better medication use or less stress when food is more reliable. They will use data that cover multiple states and years, including changes during the COVID-19 era.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are low-income U.S. adults who are current or potential SNAP recipients or who live in states with differing SNAP rules.
Not a fit: People who are not low-income, children, or those ineligible for SNAP are unlikely to be directly affected by this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If the work shows benefits, it could support policies that expand SNAP or simplify access to help reduce heart disease risk in low-income adults.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies link SNAP to better food security, lower poverty, and slower growth in diabetes, but the direct effects on cardiovascular health are not yet established.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Khatana, Sameed Ahmed Mustafa — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Khatana, Sameed Ahmed Mustafa
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 below.