Hidden Epidemic: Impact of Hunger
Because nutritious food is a basic need, hunger affects every aspect of a person's life. People struggling with hunger are also much more likely to suffer from health problems and perform poorly in school and at work.
Hungry people are:
- 30% more likely to be hospitalized
- Twice as likely to need mental health services
Hungry children are:
- 50% more likely to repeat a grade
- Twice as likely to require special education
Hunger costs the state of Pennsylvania $3.25 billion every year, including:
- $2.4 billion for medical and mental health care due to increases in illness and psychosocial dysfunction
- $330 million in lost educational achievement and worker productivity
- $517 million in costs for charities that work to relieve hunger