Security Index Research Articles

Insights into food security: affordability perspectives from Bayesian belief network models

PurposeThis study investigates the dependencies between the Global Food Security Index (GFSI) and its affordability-related indicators using Bayesian belief network (BBN) models. The research also aims to prioritise these indicators within a probabilistic network setting.Design/methodology/approachThe research utilises BBN models to analyse data from 113 countries in 2022. Nine indicators related to food affordability, including income inequality, safety net programmes and trade freedom, are examined to understand their impact on food security. The methodology involves statistical modelling and analysis to identify critical factors influencing food security and to provide a comprehensive understanding of the global food affordability landscape.FindingsThe study reveals that income inequality, the presence and efficacy of safety net programmes and the degree of trade freedom are significant determinants of food affordability and overall food security outcomes. The analysis reveals marked disparities in performance across different countries, highlighting the need for context-specific interventions. The findings suggest that improving safety net programmes, implementing trade policy reforms and addressing income inequality are crucial for enhancing food affordability and security.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the literature by using BBN models to comprehensively analyse the relationship between the GFSI and affordability-related indicators. The study provides novel insights into how different socioeconomic factors influence food security across a diverse range of countries. The study offers actionable recommendations for policymakers to address food security challenges effectively, thereby supporting the development of more equitable and resilient food systems globally.

Management of the economic security of the municipality in the system of strategic development of the region

Relevance. Municipalities are the basic link of the economic system of the state, since labor, production, and natural resources are concentrated at the municipal level. The security and sustainability of the municipality determine the economic security of the region. In modern conditions of pressure from external and internal threats to economic security, municipalities are the most vulnerable. This circumstance necessitates the development and implementation of a set of measures aimed at minimizing the negative impact.The purpose of the study is to assess threats to the economic security of the city of Zheleznogorsk on the basis of an indicative approach, to develop specific proposals aimed at neutralizing these threats.Objectives: assessment of indicators of the economic security of the city of Zheleznogorsk; based on the assessment carried out, identify dangerous and safe zones for the considered indicators; determine directions for strengthening the economic security of the city of Zheleznogorsk.Methodology. In the course of the research, methods of analysis, synthesis, generalization and logic, theoretical, statistical methods and methods of graphical representation of the results were used.Results. The article systematizes indicators of economic security and evaluates them. The weaknesses of the economic security of the municipal urban formation have been identified. Based on the conducted research, the author suggests ways to strengthen the economic security of the city of Zheleznogorsk.Conclusions. The key areas of strengthening the economic security of the city of Zheleznogorsk are: maintaining a favorable investment climate; improving the demographic situation; improving employment policy. Municipalities are a vulnerable link in the economic security system due to insufficient budgetary independence and independence, which makes it difficult to implement measures aimed at improving the security of socio-economic development. Therefore, the successful implementation of the identified areas of strengthening economic security Zheleznogorsk is possible with the implementation of state and regional support.

Application of geospatial technology and decision model in the development of improved food security index

Most developing countries are currently experiencing a severe food security crisis. A good policy to mitigate food insecurity is dependent on accurate assessment. Therefore, an improved assessment of food situation is important in implementing food security measures. Existing food security assessments are limited in integrating localized variables, often needing more context-specific information. This study proposes a new food security index (Hybrid Food Security Index-HFSI), the Nigerian state was used as a case study. Data used include; food consumption, poverty levels, variability in food prices, inflation, climate variability data and the status of road infrastructure. The study also integrated a hybrid Multi-criteria Criteria Decision Model (MCDM) and geo-spatial technology. The geo-spatial presentation of food security across Nigeria shows that food security is generally better in the Southern part of the country than in the Northern region. Broadly, indicators’ performance primarily improves from the country’s North to South, which suggests that Northern states tend to be less food secure than Southern states. According to the Fuzzy-DEMATEL-ANP model, the Poverty level indicator significantly impacts the food security situation in all focused states, as it received the highest priority weight of 0.1487. The study recommends intensifying poverty alleviation programs to improve food security, and women’s development programs should be prioritized. This study provides policymakers and stakeholders with evidence-based assessments to address food security challenges in Nigeria.

Analyzing economic inflation's impact on food security and accessibility through econometric modeling

This study investigates the impact of economic inflation on food security and accessibility through the development of an econometric modeling approach. As inflation rates rise, the purchasing power of consumers diminishes, leading to increased food prices and potentially exacerbating food insecurity. This research aims to quantify the relationship between inflation and food security indicators, such as availability, access, utilization, and stability of food supplies. By employing time-series data and econometric techniques, the model captures the dynamic interactions between inflation rates, food prices, and socioeconomic factors affecting food security. The model incorporates key variables, including consumer price index (CPI), food inflation, income levels, and unemployment rates, to analyze their collective impact on food security across different demographics. The findings indicate that rising inflation significantly correlates with higher food prices, disproportionately affecting low-income households and vulnerable populations. This relationship highlights the necessity of understanding inflation's broader implications on food accessibility, especially in regions where food security is already a pressing issue. Future research directions are proposed, focusing on policy interventions aimed at stabilizing food prices and enhancing food security. Potential strategies include price controls, subsidies for staple foods, and targeted social safety nets for low-income households. Additionally, the study suggests further examination of supply chain factors contributing to food price volatility, such as transportation costs and global market dynamics, which can exacerbate inflation's effects on food security. This research contributes to the literature on food security by providing empirical evidence of inflation's impact on food accessibility and identifying critical areas for policy intervention. By addressing the complex interplay between inflation and food security, stakeholders, including policymakers and food industry leaders, can develop informed strategies to mitigate adverse effects and promote food security in inflationary environments.

Application of Neural Networks for Forecasting Energy Security Indicators

Application of Neural Networks for Forecasting Energy Security Indicators

Eco-power management system with operation and voltage security objectives of distribution system operator considering networked virtual power plants with electric vehicles parking lot and price-based demand response

In the energy management of a network, it is expected that by extracting the optimal performance for the power sources, storage equipment, and responsive demand, a favorable economic and technology situation is achievable for the network and the mentioned elements. Virtual power plants, as a unit aggregating resources, storage, and responsive loads, can create more favorable conditions in network energy management. So, it is expected that the positive effect of the virtual power plant format on the economic and technical situation of the distribution system is far more than those of managing individual elements mentioned in the network. Consequently, the distribution network operator's economic, environmental, and technical goals are met through the concurrent administration of reactive and active power in the smart distribution network that is equipped with a flexible-sustainable virtual power plant. The system operator is accountable for reducing the weighted sum of the voltage security index, energy loss, and energy cost of the distribution network. This problem is associated with the optimal power flow formulation, which considers the environmental limits and security of voltage in the distribution network, the renewable resource operation model and flexibility in the form of a virtual power plant, and the system's flexibility constraints. Flexibility resources considered in the present study are price-based demand response and electric vehicle parking lots. Stochastic optimization relying on the Unscented Transform assists in providing a suitable model for uncertain quantities resulting from the amount of load, electric vehicles, renewable power, and price of energy and eventually shortens the computing time and accurately computes the flexibility index. The optimal compromise solution amongst various objective functions can be found through fuzzy decision-making. Some innovations of this research include concurrent administration of active and reactive power in virtual power plant, concurrent modeling of economic, operational, environmental, voltage security, and flexibility indicators in the distribution network, utilization of electric vehicles, and demand response as a source of flexibility, use of Unscented transform for modeling the uncertainties corresponding to the exact calculation of flexibility. The suggested method was simulated in the IEEE 69-bus radial smart distribution system. Regarding the numerical report obtained, the optimal performance of each of the renewable generation, demand response, and parking of electric vehicles can significantly impact the economic and technical condition of the distribution network. However, the best condition was obtained when the mentioned elements were placed in the form of a virtual power plant. So, in such a situation, the energy cost is around $1862 for the said network. The lowest value for the worst security index in this network is around 0.933 p.u. Energy loss, maximum voltage drop, and peak load carrying capability are equal to 1.902 MWh, 0.047 p.u., and 5.624 MW, respectively. As a result, and based on numerical findings, the method can attain sustainable social welfare. The optimal power scheduling of sustainable systems can enhance the economic, security of voltage, and operational, conditions of the network by roughly 43 %, 26.9 %, and 47 %-62 %, respectively, compared to power flow studies. Furthermore, the ideal administration of virtual power plants enables the proposed plan to achieve 100 % flexibility. Additionally, it can substantially diminish the degree of contamination within the distribution network.

Security vs efficiency of the water-energy-food nexus. A study of the economies of the regions of Spain

This article addresses the conflict between socio-economic efficiency versus security-related sustainability in the provision of limited natural resources. We use the framework of the water, energy and food nexus in a novel approach that allows us to identify strengths and weaknesses in the economic structure of the regions analysed. We use the economies of the 17 autonomous regions of Spain as a case study. We simultaneously use integrated indicators of security, based on the availability, sufficiency and sustainability of resources, and data envelopment analysis to assess socio-economic and environmental efficiency. The results show significant differences in the sustainability of the nexus, with values ranging from 62% in Madrid to 83% in Galicia, while socio-economic and environmental efficiency ranges from 1.16% in the Basque Country to 0.63% in Navarre. A growing trend is also detected in the gap between the most and least resource-efficient regions. The two-dimensional analysis of security versus efficiency, as well as the separation of the latter into efficiency change and technical change, makes it possible to detect weaknesses and classify the 17 autonomous communities into 4 groups according to their success in both dimensions. The conclusions offer possible lines of public policy for the improvement of regional economies based on this analysis.

Spatiotemporal Programmability of 3D Chiral Color Units Driven by Ink Spontaneous Diffusion toward Customized Printing.

Blue phase liquid crystals (BPLCs) have exhibited promising applications in 3D flexible displays due to their molecular-level self-assembled chiral structures, fast response, and tunable polarized colors. However, there remain challenges for spatiotemporal programming of 3D chiral color units for BPLC dynamic patterning. Herein, the programmable temporal evolution of micrometer-scale color units and spatial configuration switch of chiral modes are achieved by spontaneous ink diffusion-driven asymmetric lattice deformation in dual-chiral polymer-templated blue phases. Custom-printed colorful patterns are designed by machine learning-assisted parameter optimization, which displays programmable multidimensional encrypted information that incorporates temporal evolving colors (wavelength), spatial distribution (depth), chiral modes (L/R). The quantitative relationship between ink diffusion kinetics and blue-phase dynamic 3D structural optics is established by in situ characterization, finite element analysis, and mathematical geometry modeling. This work provides insights into the microgeometric manipulation of 3D chiral color of BPLCs in the application of information security and self-adaptive indicators.

Navigating the Pandemic: Insights into Food Security From Oman’s Experience

This study examines the influence of COVID-19 and climate change on food security in Oman using econometric methods. Time series data from 1990 to 2022 encompassing variables such as carbon dioxide emissions (CO2), real GDP per capita (RGDPc), inflation rate (INF), and a pre/post-coronavirus dummy variable (DUMV) are analyzed. The dependent variable, FOOD_Impit, serves as a food security proxy, with data sourced from the World Development Indicators and Global Food Security Index databases. The study employs Johansen cointegration, canonical cointegrating regression (CCR), fully modified least squares (FMOLS), to investigate the effect of COVID-19 on food security in Oman. Johansen and CCR cointegration tests confirm a long-term cointegrating relationship among the variables in Oman, indicating their relevance to food security. However, the analysis reveals that while climate change, represented by CO2 levels, significantly and adversely impacts food security in Oman, the effects of COVID-19, real GDP per capita, and inflation rate are statistically insignificant. In conclusion, this research provides valuable insights into the dynamics of food security and supply chains in Oman. It highlights the severe impact of climate change on food security and advocates for urgent policy reforms. Specifically, it recommends that policymakers focus on enhancing climate resilience within the food sector and invest in boosting domestic food production to reduce import dependency. The study also calls for further research to address potential omitted variables and refine the understanding of food security determinants in Oman, ensuring more robust policy formulation and implementation. JEL classification: F11, F15, F04

Impact of Agroecological Practices on Crop Yield and Food Security in Southwestern Nigeria

This study examines the impact of agroecological practices on crop yield and food security in Southwestern Nigeria. Using data collected from a sample of smallholder farmers, descriptive statistics and regression analysis were employed to assess the relationship between agroecological techniques—such as organic farming, crop rotation, and integrated pest management (IPM)—and agricultural outcomes. The findings reveal that agroecological practices significantly improve crop yield, with organic farming having the strongest positive effect, followed by crop rotation and IPM. Additionally, these practices were associated with higher food security index (FSI) scores, indicating enhanced household food security compared to non-agroecological methods. While soil fertility management showed a positive relationship with yield, it was not statistically significant. The results underscore the potential of agroecological approaches to foster sustainable agricultural development, addressing the dual challenges of productivity and food insecurity in the region. The study recommends promoting these practices through policies and programs that support smallholder farmers, thereby enhancing agricultural resilience and economic well-being.

Landscape pattern evolution and ecological security assessment based on land use changes in mining cities: a case study of Heihe city

The development of mining cities has led to changes in land use and the evolution of landscape patterns. Constructing an ecological security evaluation system can reflect the ecological security status of mining city areas and provide planning references for these cities. This study, based on Heihe City’s land use data from 1980 to 2020, systematically analyzes the spatial and temporal evolution characteristics of land use, landscape patterns, and landscape ecological security levels by constructing a land use transfer matrix and calculating landscape pattern indices and landscape ecological security indices. The results show that: 1) Forest land is the main type of land use in Heihe City, accounting for over 50% of the total area. Land use changes primarily occurred between 2000–2010 and 2010–2020, with the spatial pattern characterized by overall stability and localized dramatic shifts, mainly involving the conversion of forest land to farmland and unused land. 2) From 1980 to 2020, the landscape ecological security pattern in Heihe City improved. Landscape diversity and landscape contagion increased, while landscape fragmentation, the largest patch area, and the average patch area decreased. Land use was optimized overall, but the trend of forest fragmentation became noticeable. 3) Between 1980 and 2020, the landscape ecological security level in Heihe City improved significantly. Driven by ecological restoration policies, the ecological security level in the southern region greatly improved, while the spatial pattern continued to show a trend of lower security in the south and higher security in the north. Specifically, the area proportions of low-security and relatively low-security areas increased by 6.23% and 9.55%, respectively. The spatial clustering of landscape ecological security levels is evident, with high-high value clustering mainly in the north and low-low value clustering mainly in the south. It is necessary to further promote ecological protection in the north to ensure the ecological barrier function, while strengthening ecological restoration in the south to improve ecological security levels. Additionally, continuous macro-policy regulation is needed to maintain long-term ecological security in Heihe City. The ecological security level of mining city landscapes is influenced by economic dependence, policy constraints, and environmental issues. This study can provide guidance for planning improvements in the study area and other mining cities.

Ecological health and security of the Jazmurian Wetland Endorheic Watershed, Iran.

Wetlands represent a crucial category of aquatic ecosystems that face numerous threats, such as increasing population density, alterations in land-use, climate change, excessive extraction of water resources, and inadequate construction of reservoirs. As a result of these challenges, wetlands cannot perform their essential functions, which include meeting human demands, supporting tourism, mitigating dust storms, and maintaining the biodiversity of flora and fauna. Accordingly, assessing their health and service performance is essential. However, studies on the health and security assessment of the wetland are scant. Therefore, an attempt has been made to evaluate the Jazmurian Wetland Watershed health using the cause-effect pressure (P), state (S), and response (R) conceptual approach. To this end, the problem-oriented variables were obtained through field surveying and data augmentation. Some 12 independent input variables were finalized using principal component analysis (PCA) to assess the watershed health and security at the sub-watershed scale. The study's results elucidated that P = 0.564, S = 0.368, and R = 0.643 were classified in moderate class with negative orientation, relatively desirable with negative inclination, and high with negative tendency, respectively. The overall weighted health and security indices for the Jazmurian Wetland Watershed were 0.504 and 0.446, classifying in moderate conditions with a slight positive tendency. Accordingly, an insight focused on controlling the most influential variables in the P and S indices and pertaining existing conditions on the R index-related factors in priority sub-watersheds is a vital task to take toward ecosystem sustainability. Considering the fragile health and security of the Jazmurian Wetland Watershed, management actions need to be incorporated to prevent further decline and perpetuation of situations in the region.

Indicadores de Sustentabilidade para Gestão da Água

Water safety involves the sustainable use and protection of water sources, so that water is available in adequate quantity and quality to health, livelihoods, ecosystems and production, in addition to protecting it from the negative effects of extreme weather events. Internationally, the concept of water security began being discussed in the 1990s, and more so since 2009, when the issue became the subject of a greater number of publications. In Brazil Federal Law 9433/97, which establishes the National Water Resources Policy, and corresponding state laws implicitly provide the concept of water security. However, the National Water Safety Plan was only launched in 2019, and has became the fundamental instrument for decision-making on this issue. The objective of the research was to pre-select indicators to analyze the water safety of the municipalities contemplated in the Capibaribe river watershed, within the framework of sustainable water management. To achieve the objective, the following methodology was adopted: pre-selection of indicators; application of a questionnaire to a panel of experts; structure a database. Thus, this work aims to bring subsidies that contribute to water security actions and public policies through the development of an indicator database. Additionally, this research is a proposal for future work, helping to define an equation of the water security index for the municipalities in the watershed.

Is the country’s preparedness for epidemics and pandemics an FDI location factor? An empirical analysis using panel data

Purpose This study aims to validate the hypothesis that a country’s preparedness for epidemics and pandemics, as measured by the GHS Index, significantly influences inward FDI inflows. By examining panel data from 2019 to 2021, the research seeks to elucidate the impact of heightened epidemic and pandemic preparedness on investment behavior, thereby highlighting the importance of health resilience and preparedness in attracting foreign investment and fostering economic growth and development. Design/methodology/approach The study uses panel data spanning 181 countries from 2019 to 2021 and uses logarithmic regression models to analyze the impact of a country’s preparedness for epidemics and pandemics, as measured by the Global Health Security (GHS) Index, on inward Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows. Auxiliary variables including GDP, labor supply, openness rate, inflation rate and political stability are incorporated. Robust weighted least squares estimation techniques are used to account for potential heterogeneity and panel data characteristics. Findings The study reveals a consistent and statistically significant positive relationship between a country’s GHS score and inward FDI, indicating that destinations with robust health systems are more attractive to investors. Higher GHS scores correlate with reduced investment risk, improved business continuity during health crises and enhanced health-care infrastructure, leading to a healthier and more productive workforce. Research limitations/implications While the study provides valuable insights into the relationship between epidemic and pandemic preparedness and inward FDI inflows, several limitations exist. The analysis relies on cross-sectional data from a relatively short timeframe (2019–2021), limiting the ability to capture long-term effects. Additionally, the study focuses on the GHS Index as a measure of preparedness, overlooking other potential determinants of FDI attractiveness. Future research could explore a broader range of health security indicators and incorporate longer-term data to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature by examining the previously underexplored relationship between a country’s epidemic and pandemic preparedness, as measured by the GHS Index and inward FDI inflows. By using panel data analysis and robust econometric techniques, the research provides empirical evidence supporting the positive impact of robust health systems on FDI attractiveness. The findings underscore the importance of prioritizing public health initiatives and epidemic preparedness as integral components of attracting and retaining foreign investment, thereby fostering economic resilience and sustainable development in host countries.

Robust image encryption algorithm based on oscillated substitution and effective confusion module with novel chaining permutation and pixel mutation

To ensure secure network transmission of multimedia content, it is crucial to protect it from unauthorized access. Encryption techniques are de facto protection techniques against hacking attempts. Different methods, including mathematical encoding, neural networks, DNA encoding, and chaos-based techniques, have been developed for this purpose. However, these methods often overlook the impact of input variations, which can enhance encryption robustness by amplifying confusion. We propose an encryption technique that demonstrates how effectively leveraging input variations can enhance the complexity and security of encrypted information. We designed an oscillated substitution technique, a multi-state method that adjusts the substitution pattern based on changes in the key or input. Additionally, chaotic methods are employed to generate noise codes for bit mutation and chaining-based permutation. Experimental results indicate that our technique significantly improves security indicators and outperforms recent encryption methods.

Effects of vegetable commercialization on household food security: a generalized propensity score matching approach

ABSTRACT The commercialization of smallholder farmers is seen as the most significant driver of improved food security and household welfare in most countries with low-agricultural economies. This study used a Generalized Propensity Score Matching (GPSM) approach to evaluate the average causal effects of vegetable commercialization levels on the food security status of households in Sabbata Hawas Woreda, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Data were collected through surveys of 385 farm households, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and observations. The results revealed that vegetable commercialization had both positive and negative effects on households’ food security. The MAHFP increased steadily as the levels of commercialization increased. However, the lower levels of commercialization are associated with negative outcomes for calorie intake, food consumption scores, and household dietary diversity scores. The caloric intake, HDDS, and FCS were improved after commercialization levels reached 50%, 40%, and 25% respectively. The findings indicate that an increase in commercialization may not always lead to consistent increases across all indicators of food security and it has heterogeneous effects on households with different levels of commercialization. The subsequent policy recommendations of the study results are that, even though smallholder commercialization strategies are crucial for ensuring increased food production, productivity, and incomes for food security, it still requires taking into account the heterogeneous food security effects of vegetable commercialization levels.

How do socioeconomic indicators and fiscal decentralization affect stunting? Evidence from Indonesia

Purpose Stunting has emerged as a prominent concern on a global scale. Over the past seven years, the average prevalence has consistently exceeded the World Health Organization standards. This study aims to investigate the roots and model of stunting. Design/methodology/approach The samples were collected from 406 regencies (counties) and municipalities across 34 provinces in Indonesia from 2017 to 2022 and used the dynamic panel data analysis. Findings The findings showed that the food security index, poverty line, women’s years of schooling, the specific allocation of funds and hopeful family program negatively influenced stunting. Otherwise, village funds and fiscal decentralisation positively affect stunting. The results also confirmed that stunting had a dynamic impact. In addition, the effect of income per capita, the poverty severity index and government funds for education and health on stunting rates were inconclusive. Practical implications The policy implication of the study suggests that the government must consider the budgetary concerns of each region and focus on the regions that exhibit different needs. Originality/value This paper will contribute to the literature about the modelling of determinants of Stunting in Indonesia.

Spatio-Temporal Differentiation and Driving Factors of County-Level Food Security in the Yellow River Basin: A Case Study of Ningxia, China

Food security is the primary condition for the development of human society. The Great River Basin is very important to ensure the accessibility and availability of agricultural irrigation, which is vital for food security. The Yellow River Basin plays a significant role in China’s food security, with counties serving as key administrative units for guaranteeing this security. This study uses the Yellow River Basin in China as a case study to construct an evaluation index system for county-level food security. It assesses the food security of 22 counties (districts) in Ningxia from 2013 to 2022, applying spatial correlation theories and driving factor analysis methods to explore the factors influencing county-level food security. The results reveal the following: (1) Overall, the food security index in Ningxia has been on the rise, but there is significant internal variation among counties. (2) Spatially, the food security index is relatively low in administrative centers, while the irrigation areas along the Yellow River play a crucial role in maintaining food security, and the overall food security index in the central arid areas is improving. (3) Food security is driven by multiple factors including economic, social, and climatic influences. To enhance food security in the Yellow River Basin, it is necessary to manage land resources systematically, improve grain production technology, and balance ecological protection with food security.

EFFECTS OF HEALTH EXPENDITURE ON FOOD SECURITY STATUS OF RURAL HOUSEHOLDS IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

The study assessed the effect of health expenditure on the food security status of rural households in Ogun State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select 120 rural households in the study area. Data was collected from the respondents with the aid of a semi-structured questionnaire complemented with an interview guide. Descriptive statistics, food security index, cost of illness procedure and binary logit regression model were the analytical techniques used for data analysis. Findings from the study revealed that majority (79.2%) of the respondent were male, married (90.8%), with a mean household size of 5 persons. Also, the mean age of the respondents was found to be 54 years with most of them involved in farming as their major occupation. Findings also revealed that majority of the rural households suffered from various illnesses such as malaria, waist/back pain, fever, high blood pressure, rheumatism and other illnesses with an average estimated cost of illness (₦45, 973.68 per month). The results of the food security status of the rural households revealed that a higher percentage (53.3%) of the rural households were food insecure. Factors found to significantly affect the food security status of the rural households were cost of illness (p<0.1) and other socio-economic variables such as education (p<0.1), income (p<0.05) and sex of the household head (p<0.01). Therefore, this study recommends that government should subsidize the cost of drugs and other medical expenses for poor households particularly those in the rural areas in order to reduce their financial burden on health care and increase their economic access to food.

Housing insecurity and government housing support utilization among a nationally representative sample of transgender and gender non-conforming adults

ABSTRACT Transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) individuals experience greater social adversity and negative social determinants of health compared to cisgender people. This study explored housing security and service use within a probability-based, nationally representative sample. Respondents were adults (264 TGNC; 23,096 cisgender) from the U.S. Federal Reserve Survey of Household Economics and Decision-making. Chi-square and multiple logistic regression analyses compared differences between TGNC and cisgender respondents for housing security indicators and government housing support use. Multivariable analyses were weighted for complex sampling design. Despite a large proportion of TGNC respondents reporting inability to pay their bills (27.9%) and not being homeowners (62.0%), utilization rates for government housing assistance were low (10.4%). Adjusting for covariates, TGNC respondents had significantly greater odds of reporting governmental housing assistance (aOR = 2.64, 95%CI = 1.52–4.60) than cisgender respondents. There was no difference in ability to pay bills or homeownership. Findings indicate that government housing services are reaching TGNC adults relative to cisgender results, but utilization rates remain low despite indicators of high need. Factors influencing utilization and efficacy of services should be assessed in future research to support policy implementation.