How do different food policies impact food insecurity and health? A review and meta-analysis

To achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 2 on food and nutrition security by 2030, greater attention to effective food policies that reduce food insecurity and improve health is warranted. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the impact of different types of government food policies (financial aid, food aid, technical support, capacity building, and land tenure management/food production) on food insecurity and health in numerous countries, and moderators involving study design, cultural context, and country economic advancement. Based on 148 studies and 273 effect sizes, we found that land tenure management/food production and a combination of policies were most effective in reducing food insecurity and in improving health. Study design moderated effects of food policies on food insecurity. Cultural contexts and country economic advancement moderated the effects of different types of food policies on food insecurity and health. This study has important implications for informing effective food policies in improving food insecurity and health by identifying the most effective types of food policies and the cultural and country economic contexts in which different types of food policies are most effective.

Duke Scholars

Author Anna Gassman-Pines Sanford School of Public Policy

Author Jennifer Lansford Sanford School of Public Policy