(OR27-04-26) Higher Geographic Access to WIC-Approved Vendors Is Associated With Higher Benefit Redemption

Objectives: Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefit redemption is highly variable and often incomplete. How geographic access to WIC-approved vendors contributes to benefit utilization or continued program participation from birth to age 5 years is unknown. This study assessed the relationships between WIC-approved vendor access, WIC benefit utilization, and continued WIC participation from birth to age 5 years in Southern California.

Methods: WIC administrative data for children born November 2019-April 2021 were used (n=26,870 children). Vendor access was assessed as the number and density of WIC-approved vendors (vendors/square mile) in buffers of 1-5 mile radii around participants’ residences. WIC benefit redemption percent was calculated monthly for each food category (e.g. eggs) and averaged across all categories. Discontinued participation was determined as >2 month gap in benefit issuance after the end of a certification period. Associations of vendor access with benefit redemption and continued participation were assessed in multivariable generalized estimating equation linear (percent difference [95% confidence interval (CI)]) and Poisson (risk ratio [95% CI]) regression models, respectively.

Results: Greater numbers and density of WIC-approved vendors within 2-5 mile buffers around participants’ residences was associated with higher WIC benefit redemption percentage for (1) overall benefits, (2) specific food categories issued at ages 1-4 years including eggs, reduced fat milk, cheese/tofu, breakfast cereal, whole grains/bread, yogurt, and 100% juice, and (3) age-specific foods including infant fruits and vegetables, infant cereal and whole milk. One additional vendor/square mile in a 2-mile buffer around the residence was associated 1.0 (95% CI: 0.1-4.0) to 1.7 (0.6-2.8) percent higher redemption of all WIC food benefits among children 0-4 years of age. Geographic access to WIC-approved vendors was not associated with program discontinuation at ages 1, 2, 3 or 4 years in any buffer radius.

Conclusions: Understanding how WIC vendor access contributes to benefit redemption and discontinued participation may help programs better support all WIC participants.

Funding Sources: This work was funded by an award from the Southern California Center for Chronic Disease Research and Prevention.