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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences
Federal Food Assistance Programs: Part Of The Early Childhood Obesity Solution Or Part Of The Problem?, Elizabeth Rigby, Rachel Kimbro
Federal Food Assistance Programs: Part Of The Early Childhood Obesity Solution Or Part Of The Problem?, Elizabeth Rigby, Rachel Kimbro
Elizabeth Rigby
Amid growing concern about childhood obesity, the United States spends billions of dollars on food assistance: providing meals and subsidizing food purchases. We examine the relationship between food assistance and body mass index (BMI) for young, low-income children, who are a primary target population for federal food programs and for efforts to prevent childhood obesity. Our findings indicate that food assistance may unintentionally contribute tot he childhood obesity problem in cities with high food prices. We also find that subsidized meals at school or day care are beneficial for children's weight status, and we argue that expanding access to subsidized …
Whose Statehouse Democracy?: Policy Responsiveness To Poor Vs. Rich Constituents In Poor Vs. Rich States, Elizabeth Rigby, Gerald C. Wright
Whose Statehouse Democracy?: Policy Responsiveness To Poor Vs. Rich Constituents In Poor Vs. Rich States, Elizabeth Rigby, Gerald C. Wright
Elizabeth Rigby
No abstract provided.
Does Electoral Reform Increase (Or Decrease) Political Equality?, Elizabeth Rigby, Melanie J. Springer
Does Electoral Reform Increase (Or Decrease) Political Equality?, Elizabeth Rigby, Melanie J. Springer
Elizabeth Rigby
Over recent decades, the American states have implemented electoral reforms making it easier for citizens to register and vote. This paper examines the “equality effects” of these reforms: the degree to which reform serves to equalize or further skew participation rates between the rich and poor. Using the Voter Supplement to the Current Population Survey, we generate state-level estimates of income bias in registration and voting for elections from 1978-2008. Findings support our theory that some electoral reforms promote equality, while others further stratify the electorate—particularly when state registration rolls are already unrepresentative in terms of income groups.
Public Values, Health Inequality, And Alternative Notions Of A “Fair” Response, Elizabeth Rigby, Erika Blacksher, Claire Espey
Public Values, Health Inequality, And Alternative Notions Of A “Fair” Response, Elizabeth Rigby, Erika Blacksher, Claire Espey
Elizabeth Rigby
The fact that disadvantaged people generally die younger and suffer more disease than those with more resources is gaining ground as a major policy concern in the United States. Yet, we know little about how public values inform public opinion regarding policy interventions to address these disparities. This paper presents findings from an exploratory study of the public’s values and priorities as they relate to social inequalities in health. Forty-three subjects were presented with a scenario depicting health inequalities by social class and were given the opportunity to alter the distribution of health outcomes. Participants’ responses fell into one of …