Targeted food subsidies could delay, prevent 150,500 CVD deaths in US
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has declined in the U.S., but its affects are more significant on populations with lower socioeconomic status. A recent study in PLOS Medicine found that a 10 percent subsidy of fruits and vegetables could prevent or postpone 150,500 CVD deaths by 2030.
The study also found a 30 percent subsidy for fruits and vegetables for participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, commonly referred to as “food stamps”) could reduce CVD deaths by 35,100 in the next 15 years.
“Our study suggests that reducing the price of healthy foods for SNAP participants whilst additionally reducing sugar-sweetened beverage consumption nationally through taxes and a media campaign could potentially reduce socio-economic disparities in CVD mortality and powerfully improve dietary quality, the leading risk factor for CVD,” wrote Jonathan Pearson-Stuttard, lead author and NIHR Academic Clinical Fellow at Imperial College London, and colleagues.
The full study is available here.
Nicholas joined TriMed in 2016 as the managing editor of the Chicago office. After receiving his master’s from Roosevelt University, he worked in various writing/editing roles for magazines ranging in topic from billiards to metallurgy. Currently on Chicago’s north side, Nicholas keeps busy by running, reading and talking to his two cats.