Given the food insecurity, poverty and health problems disproportionately affecting so many Native Americans, WIC Programs continue to be a key ingredient in building healthier communities. Despite the high rates of poverty and food insecurity, the health and nutritional status of women, infants and children in Native American communities is better in many respects than a generation ago. Native Americans have seen significant declines in the rates of anemia, growth stunting, underweight, and maternal and infant mortality over the last quarter of a century. FRAC's report concludes that WIC has contributed to these substantial improvements in nutrition and health. WIC has made a difference through providing nutritious supplemental foods and nutrition education, and working with other programs to improve access to health care.
Participants receive a monthly food package to augment basic resources.
The package is tailored to meet their special dietary needs. Poverty is a principal factor in causing food insecurity, hunger, malnutrition and undernutrition. Forty-three percent of Native American children under the age of five are living in poverty. Over 72 percent of the Native American participants in WIC have incomes below the federal poverty level, the highest proportion of any group participating in the WIC Program. Federal WIC funds are dispensed to communities through state agencies.