Role of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in Improving Diet Quality: Implications for Nurses

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides access to healthy food for low-income individuals and households. Food security, however, does not necessarily achieve higher diet quality for beneficiaries. Diet quality is an important consideration for the development and management of chronic illness, a significant public health concern. In this study, we review incentives and disincentives implemented to improve the diet quality, the evidence on SNAP including benefits, challenges, and the politics of funding. New interventions and policies will be needed in order to improve the overall diet quality of SNAP households. SNAP should align with nutritional science to meet national public health goals. Nurses are trusted advocates for patients and the public and are uniquely positioned to aid in this effort. Informed by evidence, nurses willing to leverage their influence, can lead this needed change.

补充营养援助计划（SNAP）为低收入个人和家庭提供获取健康食品的途径。然而，食品安全并不一定能使受益人实现更高的饮食质量。饮食质量是慢性病发展和管理的一个重要考虑因素，而慢性病是一个重大的公共卫生问题。在这项研究中，我们回顾了为提高饮食质量而实施的激励措施和抑制措施，以及关于SNAP的证据，包括其益处、挑战和资金方面的政治因素。为了提高SNAP家庭的整体饮食质量，将需要新的干预措施和政策。SNAP应该与营养科学保持一致，以实现国家公共卫生目标。护士是患者和公众信赖的倡导者，在这方面具有独特的优势来提供帮助。依据证据，愿意发挥自身影响力的护士能够引领这一必要的变革。