HUNGER AT HOMEIts Costs to our Economy and our Society

America’s Hunger Bill High poverty and hunger

rates among U.S. children reduce the value of economic output by several hundred billion dollars annually.

Food insecurity for families and communities has clear economic consequences that cross a number of sectors. Education Health Law Enforcement

Short-term expenditures to put off the effects of poverty and unemployment on children and youth could have major fiscal payoffs that offset their initial costs.

$167.5

Billion

source: americanprogress.org

U.S. economic output reduced by as much as 4 percent of GDP each year (roughly $500 billion), caused by: Low productivity and earnings Poor health High levels of crime and incarceration

among adults who grew up poor Failure of high school dropouts to

obtain diplomas costs the public sector about $125 billion in lost revenues each year.

Every percentage point increase in the dropout rate each year would reduce federal revenue by $5 billion over time.

We Pay for Poor Performance

“…likely a conservative estimate.”- Penny Wise, Pound Foolish

We Pay for Poor Health Intermittent hunger

contributes to binge eating and overeating to cope with stress and depression.

Hunger in babies wreaks havoc on their metabolism and makes them more susceptible to obesity later in life.

Medical costs of obesity are estimated at $147 billion per year.

Hunger among children affects cognitive development and leads to lower academic achievement.

$67Estimated yearly cost of hunger-related health expenses.

billion

How SNAP Helps

Nutrition programs like SNAP are one of the most cost-effective ways to control rising healthcare costs, which pose a much greater long-term threat to the nation’s

economy than the cost of nutrition programs.

47%

45%

8%

SNAP Participants by Age Group

Children Middle Age Elderly

Greater Need than Ever

Percent14.5

Of U.S. population is food insecure

$731

Average monthly gross income for all SNAP households

The Great Recession has only tightened hunger’s grip on American communities.

Keeping hunger at bay will demand timely action from government at all levels and civil society.

2010

How We Compare

The U.S. has some of the highest child poverty and infant mortality rates of the developed world.

source

United States

Ahead of the Curb: Philadelphia Philadelphia has

set very ambitious goals for ending hunger in its neighborhoods.

It has developed a city-wide prevention and response network.

Your city or community can join a greater movement against hunger: The Hunger Free Communities Network

This network combines the efforts of: Government agencies,

businesses, faith groups, health service providers, educational institutions, civic associations, foundations and non-profit organizationsConnect with the network and find resources at:

www.hungerfreecommunities.org

Read the 2013 Hunger Report

The most current policy analysis on hunger—at home and around the world—and how to end it.

Find interactive tools, info-graphics, a Christian study guide and much more at the hunger report website. www.hungerreport.org