New study finds access to food stamps reduces visits to the physicians

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-07/uocd-nsf072220.php

News Release 22-Jul-2020
University of Colorado Denver


In a new study, University of Colorado Denver researchers found when people have access to the food stamp program, they are less likely to frequent a physician for medical care. The findings were published in the American Journal of Health Economics by two CU Denver assistant professors of economics, Chloe East, PhD, and Andrew Friedson, PhD.

According to the study, which used changes in eligibility rules for documented immigrants in the 1990-2000s to learn about the program, those who were eligible for the food stamp program saw a reduction in health care utilization, specifically fewer office visits to physicians. The reductions were concentrated among locations with a higher prevalence of common communicable illnesses, such as cold or stomach illness. This suggests improved immune response could be an important mechanism.

•••••