EXPLORING COMMUNITY RATES OF FOOD ASSISTANCE AND DIABETES AMONG OLDER ADULTS IN MA, RI, AND CT

Sep 29, 2026

Food insecurity and poor nutritional intake create serious health consequences for adults. This study examines the population-level association between community rates of obtaining SNAP benefits and diabetes rates among adults aged 65+ in Massachusetts (MA), Rhode Island (RI), and Connecticut (CT). Data come from the 2025 Healthy Aging Data Report, using American Community Survey (2018–2022) and CMS beneficiary files (2020–2021). Age- and sex-adjusted small-area estimates and ArcGIS mapping identify state and rural differences that can inform targeted diabetes prevention.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Study Background and Purpose

Data Sources and Methods

Results Across MA, RI, and CT

Implications for Policy and Interventions

714 Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 identify barriers to food access and can inform programs and interventions to address diabetes among older adults across MA, RI, and CT. The current study uses results from the 2025 Healthy Aging Data Report ([healthyagingdatareports.org](healthyagingdatareports.org)). Indicators were calculated data from the American Community Survey (2018-2022 MA, RI, CT) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Beneficiary Summary File (2020-2021 MA, RI, CT). Small area estimation techniques were used to calculate age-and sex-adjusted rates, and ArcGIS software was used for mapping and geographic analyses. Results showed that state average rates for food benefits were MA 13.34%(0-48.87%), RI 14.73%(2 .18-33.98%), and CT 11.04%(0-42 .62%) . Rhode Island had the highest average state rate but the smallest range in rates. Rural communities had the lowest rates of food stamp participation. Diabetes: MA 28.62% (15.00-48.98%), RI 32.43%(15 .80-33.98%), and CT 31.78% (18 .13-46. 89%) . Other environmental risk factors such as lack of infrastructure for physical activity or food apartheids may contribute to some of the differences observed. Understanding the difference in community rates across New England can better inform policymakers in addressing diabetes maintenance and prevention among older adults. Abstract citation ID: igaf122.2432 EXPLORING COMMUNITY RATES OF FOOD ASSIS TANCE AND DIABETES AMONG OLDER ADULTS IN MA, RI, AND CT Calvin Tran, Qinglin Gao, Mengshi Liu, Nachalie Rodriguez-Cruz, and Elizabeth Dugan, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, United States Food insecurity and poor nutritional intake has serious health consequences. Poor nutrition has been associated with diabetes and eating healthy is often recommended to manage blood sugar. This study aims to examine the association at the population level to explore if community rates of obtaining food benefits (SNAP) are associated with diabetes rates in adults 65+ . Understanding community rates of food stamp participation can

FAQs

What relationship does the study investigate between SNAP and diabetes?

The study examines whether community rates of obtaining SNAP benefits are associated with diabetes rates among adults aged 65+.

Which data sources are used to calculate the indicators?

Indicators are derived from the 2025 Healthy Aging Data Report, using American Community Survey data (2018–2022) and CMS Beneficiary Summary File data (2020–2021) for MA, RI, and CT.

What key differences in SNAP participation and diabetes rates are reported?

State average food benefit rates are highest in RI (14.73%) compared with MA (13.34%) and CT (11.04%), while rural communities show the lowest SNAP participation. Diabetes rates are reported as highest in RI (32.43%) versus CT (31.78%) and MA (28.62%).

How are rates estimated and analyzed geographically?

Small area estimation techniques calculate age- and sex-adjusted rates, and ArcGIS is used for mapping and geographic analyses.

Sep 29, 2026

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