• Chinedum O Ojinnaka, Irma Arteaga, Leslie Hodges, and Colleen Heflin.
• College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA. Chinedum.ojinnaka@asu.edu.
• J Gen Intern Med. 2023 May 1; 38 (6): 134913561349-1356.

BackgroundFood insecurity has been associated with medication non-adherence among individuals living with chronic diseases like hypertension. The relationship between Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)-a public program that addresses food insecurity-and Medication adherence among older Medicaid-insured adults living with hypertension is not clear.ObjectiveTo analyze the association between patterns of SNAP participation and adherence to antihypertensive medications among older Medicaid-insured individuals.DesignRetrospective study using linked 2006-2014 state of Missouri's Medicaid claims and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program data.ParticipantsOlder adults (≥ 60 years) who were continuously enrolled in Medicaid for 12 months following their first observed claim for hypertension at or after age 60.Main MeasuresThe outcome measure was medication adherence assessed using the proportion of days covered (PDC). The exposure measures were as follows: (1) receipt of SNAP benefits (no [0], yes [1]); (2) SNAP benefits receipt during the 12-month Medicaid continuous enrollment (no [0], yes [1]); (3) duration of SNAP participation during the 12-month continuous Medicaid enrollment; and (4) SNAP participation pattern.Key ResultsOn multivariable analyses, there was a statistically significant association between ever participating in SNAP and medication adherence (β = 0.32; S.E. = 0.011). Compared to those who participated in SNAP for 1-3 months during the 12-month continuous enrollment, there was an increased likelihood of medication adherence among those who were enrolled for 10-12 months (β = 0.44, S.E. = 0.041).ConclusionsMedicaid-insured older adults who are SNAP participants or enrolled in SNAP for 10-12 months of a 12-month Medicaid continuous enrollment period are more likely to be adherent to antihypertensive medication compared to non-SNAP participants or those enrolled for 1-3 months, respectively.© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Society of General Internal Medicine.

22 keywords...

hide…