Social Determinants of Health and the Reality Behind SNAP
Social Determinants of Health and the Reality Behind SNAP
There’s been a lot of talk lately about why so many people need SNAP benefits, previously known as food stamps. The comments come quickly—and are definitely full of judgment and opinions.
“Why can’t these people just get a job like the rest of us?”
“My parents raised three kids with one income and didn’t need help.”
“People on SNAP are buying lobster and junk food.”
You’ve probably heard those statements, too. May even have said them. I’ve seen them repeatedly in recent weeks as SNAP funding remains uncertain and many families don’t know if they’ll have enough money for food. I teach meal planning and budgeting classes to individuals on SNAP, so I see a variety of faces who currently use it.
But let’s look at what’s really going on through the lens of what we call social determinants of health.
What Are Social Determinants of Health?
Social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age. These include things like access to education, healthcare, employment, transportation, housing, and safe neighborhoods. They also include economic stability and access to healthy, affordable food.
All these factors affect health outcomes far more than simply telling people to “eat better.” When someone doesn’t have reliable transportation, a nearby grocery store, or enough income to cover rent and food, making balanced meals isn’t just difficult — it’s sometimes impossible.
Think about how you access food. It could be from a delivery service – but that costs extra.
It could be you go to a grocery store or Costco like me, but how do you get there? Can you walk there and walk home with your groceries year-round? If you didn’t have a car or the bus didn’t go near there, what would you do? And cars cost money with insurance, gas, and maintenance.
If you had to go out at night to shop without a car, how safe would you feel? How close is the nearest grocery store to you? For me, it is about a mile, but it would suck to have to walk there and back at night.
What if you had a job that required you to work weekends or evenings, and you still needed someone to take care of your children during that time? I can get my food earlier in the day when there are fewer people. But not everyone does.
Then consider the cost of rent, utilities, toiletries, and even basic items like toilet paper, soap, shampoo, and clothing for a presentable appearance at your workplace. And then there is health insurance. That can cost more than anything.
Why This Matters for Nutrition and Health Professionals
Those of us who work in health and nutrition know that wellness isn’t just about choosing fresh produce over processed snacks. It’s about access, opportunity, and systemic barriers.
A person can know exactly what foods are “healthy” yet still struggle to obtain them. Maybe they live in a food desert where the nearest grocery store is miles away. Maybe they have to rely on convenience stores or fast-food options because that’s what’s available. Or maybe their paycheck barely covers basic expenses, so affordability takes priority over variety and freshness.
Making food healthier or offering nutrition education is great, but it won’t solve food insecurity on its own. We must address the underlying systems that create and maintain these barriers.
Who Really Uses SNAP?
There’s a misconception that SNAP recipients are sitting back and living off the system. The data tells a different story. According to USDA reports, most SNAP participants are children, older adults, or people with disabilities. Among those who can work, many are employed yet often in jobs that don’t pay enough to make ends meet.
As of 2024, the average monthly SNAP benefit is about $202 per person, or roughly $6.70 a day. That’s not enough for lobster and caviar. It often barely covers essentials like milk, bread, fruit, and protein.
SNAP isn’t a luxury. It’s a lifeline. I challenge anyone to spend no more than $200 per person per month (or approximately $2400 per person per year) on groceries. And again, how are you accessing those groceries? Think about that.
The Bigger Picture
We live in a time when the cost of living continues to rise faster than wages. Housing, childcare, and healthcare costs eat up most of a paycheck before groceries even make it to the list. Add in transportation barriers, limited access to full-service grocery stores, and chronic stress, and it’s easy to see how food insecurity happens — even among working families.
When people comment that “things were different when I was growing up,” they’re right. The cost of living, wage structures, and social safety nets have changed drastically. What worked for one generation doesn’t necessarily work for another.
It’s easy to get frustrated, especially when we see examples of abuse. But those cases are rare. And I’ll say this plainly: I’d rather feed a hundred families, even if one person takes advantage, than starve many because of a few.
A Call for Compassion
Addressing social determinants of health isn’t just about policy or programs — it’s about compassion and understanding. When we focus our frustration on the system instead of the people, we can begin to make meaningful change.
Food insecurity is a public health issue. Food insecurity is when someone does not know where their next meal is coming from. Children may have access to school breakfast and lunch, but what about dinner? What about the weekends? Holidays – and school breaks? No one should go hungry in a country that produces more than enough food. We can hold space for accountability while still leading with empathy.
As health professionals and community members, we can support policies that improve access to affordable housing, fair wages, and reliable transportation — because all these affect what ends up on someone’s plate.
When we talk about wellness, we can’t stop at calories, macronutrients, or food groups. Or “worse,” the privilege of being able to choose organic or driving out of your way to go to that grocery store. The privilege of being able to turn our noses up at some foods because they have food dyes, and say, “I only eat whole foods that aren’t processed.” We have to talk about equity, opportunity, and compassion.
Because the truth is simple: NO ONE SHOULD GO HUNGRY.
For more information: NOVA Classification overview
