Prevalence and Socio-Demographic Predictors of Food Insecurity in Australia during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated economic vulnerabilities and disrupted the Australian food supply, with potential implications for food insecurity. This study aims to describe the prevalence and socio-demographic associations of food insecurity in Tasmania, Australia, during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional survey (deployed late May to early June 2020) incorporated the U.S. Household Food Security Survey Module: Six-Item Short Form, and fifteen demographic and COVID-related income questions. Survey data (n = 1170) were analyzed using univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression. The prevalence of food insecurity was 26%. The adjusted odds of food insecurity were higher among respondents with a disability, from a rural area, and living with dependents. Increasing age, a university education, and income above $80,000/year were protective against food insecurity. Food insecurity more than doubled with a loss of household income above 25% (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR): 2.02; 95% CI: 1.11, 3.71; p = 0.022), and the odds further increased with loss of income above 75% (AOR: 7.14; 95% CI: 2.01, 24.83; p = 0.002). Our results suggest that the prevalence of food insecurity may have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly among economically vulnerable households and people who lost income. Policies that support disadvantaged households and ensure adequate employment opportunities are important to support Australians throughout and post the COVID-19 pandemic.

Barriers to the early cochlear implantation of deaf children.

OBJECTIVE: Identify social and health care system factors that prevent congenitally deaf children from receiving cochlear implants (CIs) in a timely fashion. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review and parental interviews. SETTING: University medical center hospital in a state with mandatory newborn hearing screening (NBHS). PATIENTS: Fifty-nine congenitally deaf children who received CIs between January 1, 2002, and May 1, 2009. INTERVENTIONS: Demographic and health care details were collected from the 59 patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Age at implantation. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients received implants at or before age 2 years (average age at implant surgery, 14 mo), and 25 patients received implants after age 2 years (average age, 65 mo). The presence of NBHS (p<0.001) and type of health insurance (p=0.05) the child had at the time of CI surgery were significant predictors of age at implantation. The following factors were associated with increased risk of delayed implantation: no NBHS (risk ratio [RR]=2.63), NBHS not identifying hearing loss (RR=1.63), Medicaid insurance alone (RR=1.21) or in combination with private insurance (RR=1.79), family physician as primary care provider (RR=1.50), and audiologist (RR = 1.30) or otolaryngologist (RR=1.31) as secondary care providers (versus implant center, RR=0.23). The main reasons for delay in CI surgery after age 2 years also were identified and include slow referrals for care (n=8) and parental delays (n=5). CONCLUSION: The data suggest placing special focus on children with associated risk factors, ensuring NBHS, and parent and primary care provider education on the importance of early intervention and referral to an implant center would likely limit delays in children receiving CIs.