Newsletter
Contact
WIC can improve maternal and childhood health and nutrition, yet only 50% of people who qualify for WIC receive benefits, with racial disparities across states. Beyond state and national estimates, less is known about zip code-level racial/ethnic coverage rates or the factors influencing program reach. This study will be the first large-scale assessment of overall and racial/ethnic coverage rates in WIC by zip code. This study has two aims: (1) to quantify 2022 racial/ethnic WIC coverage rates by zip code in 14 states across the United States, and assess environmental influences on zip code level racial/ethnic coverage rates; and (2) to understand organizational influences on racial/ethnic coverage rates via 24 Key Informant Interviews with WIC leaders. This mixed methods study builds on previous research, relationships with USDA FNS experts, and robust preexisting partnerships with WIC agencies in the USDA/Tufts THIS-WIC study.
Start Date: November 2023
ID #: 81358
Principal Investigator: Danielle Krobath, PhD
Co-Principal Investigator: Mei Chung, PhD, MPH, BS
Organization: Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University
Funding Round: HER Round 13
Focus Areas: Early Childhood, Nutrition Policy & Programs
Resource Type: Grant Summary
Age Groups: Pregnant women, infants and toddlers (ages 0 to 2), Preschool-age children (ages 3 to 5)
Keyword: Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
Related Research
October 2026
Cross-Sectional Evaluation of WIC Participation Status and Massachusetts Children’s Nutrition after the Cash-Value Benefit Increase
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) increased the Cash-Value Benefit (CVB) for fruits and vegetables in 2021. Although WIC participants reported increased purchasing, consumption, and variety of fruits and vegetables after the CVB increase, it is unknown whether this resulted in higher fruit and vegetable intake relative to nonparticipants. The MoreOctober 2026
An Electronic Health Record-Based Intervention to Facilitate Primary Care Referrals to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children: Retrospective Cohort Study
This study evaluated responses to an electronic health record (EHR)-embedded federal nutrition program (FNP) participation screening and WIC referral tool implemented within 8 clinics during well-child visits for children younger than 5 years of age. Structured EHR data from July 2020 to October 2023 were extracted to summarize screening, referral acceptance, WIC enrollment outcomes, and MoreSeptember 2026