Researcher(s)
- Amber Riley, Epidemiology, West Chester University
Faculty Mentor(s)
- Jennifer Horney, Epidemiology, University of Delaware
Abstract
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) targets the nutrition and health behaviors of high-risk populations. WIC is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service and is available in all 50 states. Since 1972, WIC has provided services in 4 key areas: nutrition education, breastfeeding promotion and support, healthy food access, and referrals for healthcare and social services.
This study aims to investigate preparedness perceptions of WIC staff, while prioritizing the reduction of inequalities in WIC services for vulnerable populations served in counties impacted by Hurricane Helene. Data were collected from WIC agencies in 5 disaster-designated states. The survey contained 18 questions, with 3 open-ended questions for qualitative response.
Of 95 WIC contacts, 29 responded (Response Rate=30.5%), with 23 individuals who completed at least two-thirds of the survey included in the analytic sample (79.3% of respondents). Respondents reported extensive experience, with 78.3% (n=18) reporting more than a decade in the field and 82.6% (n=19) having worked in WIC prior to Hurricane Helene. Out of four key WIC services, breastfeeding support was most frequently disrupted by Hurricane Helene (43.5%, n=10), followed by health care and social service referrals (39.1%, N=9). Respondents characterized rural residents (47.8%, n=11) and new clients seeking WIC services (39.1%, n=9) as most impacted following Hurricane Helene. Respondents with confidence in their organization’s ability to respond to a disaster or in their personal knowledge of disaster preparedness were less likely to want additional disaster planning or training. Open-ended responses characterized challenges to providing services to displaced clients, food security, and internet outages interrupting virtual services and benefits delivery.
Addressing the need for high-quality emergency preparedness planning and training for WIC agencies specifically, and the social services sector more broadly, will help ensure continuity of essential services after disasters.