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Using syndemic theory to understand food insecurity and diet-related chronic diseases

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  • Himmelgreen, David
  • Romero-Daza, Nancy
  • Heuer, Jacquelyn
  • Lucas, William
  • Salinas-Miranda, Abraham A.
  • Stoddard, Theresa

Abstract

Syndemic Theory (ST) provides a framework to examine mutually enhancing diseases/health issues under conditions of social inequality and inequity. ST has been used in multiple disciplines to address interacting infectious diseases, noncommunicable diseases, and mental health conditions. The theory has been critiqued for its inability to measure disease interactions and their individual and combined health outcomes. This article reviews literature that strongly suggests a syndemic between food insecurity (FI) and diet-related chronic diseases (DRCDs), and proposes a model to measure the extent of such interaction. The article seeks to: (1) examine the potential syndemic between FI and DRCDs; (2) illustrate how the incorporation of Life History Theory (LHT), into a syndemic framework can help to highlight critical lifeperiods when FI-DRCD interactions result in adverse health outcomes; (3) discuss the use of mixed methods to identify and measure syndemics to enhance the precision and predictive power of ST; and (4) propose an analytical model for the examination of the FI-DRCD syndemic through the life course. The proposed model is more relevant now given the significant increase in FI globally as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The differential impact that the pandemic appears to have among various age groups and by other demographic factors (e.g., race, gender, income) offers an opportunity to examine the potential FI-DRCD syndemic under the lens of LHT.

Suggested Citation

  • Himmelgreen, David & Romero-Daza, Nancy & Heuer, Jacquelyn & Lucas, William & Salinas-Miranda, Abraham A. & Stoddard, Theresa, 2022. "Using syndemic theory to understand food insecurity and diet-related chronic diseases," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 295(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:295:y:2022:i:c:s0277953620303439
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2020.113124
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tsai, Alexander C. & Burns, Bridget F.O., 2015. "Syndemics of psychosocial problems and HIV risk: A systematic review of empirical tests of the disease interaction concept," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 26-35.
    2. Coleman-Jensen, Alisha & Rabbitt, Matthew P. & Gregory, Christian A. & Singh, Anita, 2018. "Statistical Supplement to Household Food Security in the United States in 2017," Administrative Publications 292096, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    3. Gregory, Christian A. & Coleman-Jensen, Alisha, 2017. "Food Insecurity, Chronic Disease, and Health Among Working-Age Adults," Economic Research Report 261813, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    4. Freudenberg, N. & Fahs, M. & Galea, S. & Greenberg, A., 2006. "The impact of New York City's 1975 fiscal crisis on the tuberculosis, HIV, and homicide syndemic," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 96(3), pages 424-434.
    5. Mendenhall, Emily & Omondi, Gregory Barnabas & Bosire, Edna & Isaiah, Gitonga & Musau, Abednego & Ndetei, David & Mutiso, Victoria, 2015. "Stress, diabetes, and infection: Syndemic suffering at an urban Kenyan hospital," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 11-20.
    6. Talman, A. & Bolton, S. & Walson, J.L., 2013. "Interactions between HIV/AIDS and the environment: Toward a syndemic framework," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 103(2), pages 253-261.
    7. Coleman-Jensen, Alisha & Rabbitt, Matthew P. & Gregory, Christian A. & Singh, Anita, 2018. "Household Food Security in the United States in 2017," Economic Research Report 291966, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
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    1. Gibb, James K. & Williams, Sarah & Mikelsteins, Kaspars & Charles, Jada & McKinnon, Leela & Beach, Laura & McKerracher, Luseadra & Fields, Jessica, 2024. "Queering food security research: A critical analysis of 2SLGBTQ+ People's experiences of food insecurity in Toronto during the COVID-19 pandemic," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 345(C).

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