Hunger in the United States
More than four years after the onset of the financial and economic crisis, hunger remains high in the United States.
The financial and economic crisis that erupted in 2008 caused a dramatic increase in hunger in the United States. This high level of hunger continues in 2012, according to the latest government report. As hunger and poverty are related, food insecurity and poverty are not the same. Unemployment is a stronger predictor of food insecurity rather than poverty.
Poverty
Food Insecurity
Hunger - Largest Cause of Fatalities
The US allocates 0.1% of its budget toward hunger.
Yet the largest cause of death, more than any other fatality is due to hunger-related issues.
- Households with incomes below the Federal poverty line-$22,113 for a family of four in 2010-(40.2 percent).
- Households with children, headed by a single woman (35.1 percent).
- Households with children, headed by a single man (25.4 percent).
- Black households (25.1 percent).
- Hispanic households (26.2 percent).
- Overall, households with children had nearly twice the rate of food insecurity (20.2 percent) as those without children (11.7 percent).