# Examining state SNAP policies as a primary prevention strategy for early life exposure to violence and other adverse childhood experiences

> **NIH ALLCDC R01** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2021 · $347,311

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Child and youth exposure to violence is a prevalent and pressing public health issue in the United States.
Emerging research indicates that a distinct form of economic pressure, food insecurity (i.e., limited or uncertain
access to adequate food), is a risk factor for multiple forms of violence, and other adverse childhood
experiences (ACEs), among U.S. children and youth. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
is the largest program addressing food insecurity in the U.S. While SNAP rules and regulations are largely set
at the federal level, states have the option to adopt several SNAP policies that expand eligibility and simplify
enrollment. Prior research indicates that state adoption of these policies is associated with increases in SNAP
participation and decreases in food insecurity. Thus, given that food insecurity is a risk factor for violence and
other ACEs, state adoption of SNAP policies that expand eligibility and simplify enrollment may also contribute
to decreases in rates of child and youth exposure to violence and other ACEs. Guided by the Family Stress
Model, we will leverage variability in state adoption of specific SNAP eligibility and enrollment policies over time
to examine their association with multiple forms of violence, including child abuse and neglect, youth dating
violence, youth and parental suicidal behavior, and intimate partner violence, and other ACEs, including
parental mental health and substance use disorders. We will use multiple survey and administrative data
sources and a longitudinal, quasi-experimental study design to address three specific aims over the period
2005-2019: (Aim 1) Examine the association of state adoption of SNAP policies that expand eligibility and
simplify enrollment with early life exposure to violence and other ACEs; (Aim 2) Assess whether the
association of state adoption of SNAP eligibility and enrollment policies with early life exposure to violence and
other ACEs differs in the context of state Medicaid expansion and higher state minimum wage; and (Aim 3)
Assess whether the association of state adoption of SNAP eligibility and enrollment policies with early life
exposure to violence and other ACEs differs by race/ethnicity. The proposed research will be the first to
examine the association of SNAP eligibility and enrollment policies with violence and other ACEs. This
research has the potential for translational impact by directly informing our understanding of whether (Aim 1),
in what contexts (Aim 2), and for which populations (Aim 3) specific SNAP eligibility and enrollment policies are
effective in preventing early life exposure to violence and other ACEs. This proposal is responsive to CDC’s
Objective One as it will examine the impact of a program that improves a social condition, food insecurity, as a
primary prevention strategy for violence and other ACEs.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10376511
- **Project number:** 1R01CE003334-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** Anna Elizabeth Austin
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** ALLCDC
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $347,311
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-09-30 → 2024-09-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10376511

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10376511, Examining state SNAP policies as a primary prevention strategy for early life exposure to violence and other adverse childhood experiences (1R01CE003334-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10376511. Licensed CC0.

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