Author ORCID Identifier
0001-7358-8448
Document Type
Article
Roles
Author
Publication Date
5-17-2023
Publication Title
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Lack of access to adequate, safe, and nutritious food is a major concern for the Afghan population due to ongoing war and humanitarian crises. Recently resettled Afghan refugees in the US continue to face challenges securing adequate, nutritious food resources in new environments. This study examined Afghan refugees' food access and insecurity in the San Joaquin Valley, California.
METHODS: Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted to collect the perspectives and experiences of key informants and newly arrived Afghan refugees.
RESULTS: This study highlights environmental and structural factors (availability and accessibility of grocery stores; availability of religious-appropriate items in the stores; the public benefit received by a family; and public transportation) and individual factors (religious and cultural practices; financial and language barriers) as major determinants of post-resettlement food insecurity.
CONCLUSION: Increasing the accessibility and affordability of culturally and religiously appropriate food items within the US food system, enhancing the collaboration of community volunteers and resettlement organizations in the direct assistance of new families, and providing continuous access to public benefits are possible steps to mitigate the risk of food insecurity among Afghan refugees. This study suggests a continuous examination of the degree of food insecurity in this population and its attendant health impacts.
DOI
10.3390/ijerph20105846
Recommended Citation
Goliaei, Z., Gonzalez, M., Diaz Rios, K., Pokhrel, M., & Burke, N. (2023). Post-Resettlement Food Insecurity: Afghan Refugees and Challenges of the New Environment. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20 (10). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20105846
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Comments
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/10/5846