An Evaluation of the Effect of Participation in the Food Stamp Program on Future Mortality

Patrick M. Krueger, University of Colorado at Boulder
Richard G. Rogers, University of Colorado
Cristobal Ridao-Cano, University of Colorado at Boulder

Food stamp income is complex and paradoxical: although more impoverished groups usually experience higher morality, participation in a means tested program may predict lower mortality among eligible individuals. We examine the effect of participation in the food stamp program on mortality within the eligible population, and then, conditional on participation, the effect of the amount of food stamp income on mortality. Logistic regression models use the Family Resources Supplement to the National Health Interview Survey linked to the Multiple Cause of Death file, to examine the effect of self-selection bias. We find that the presence of unobserved individual characteristics does not bias the relationship between participation and mortality, after controlling for functional status. Participation predicts higher mortality even after testing for selection bias, but higher levels of income attenuate that risk, indicating disadvantage for some participants, and advantage for others. These policy relevant findings demand further research.