The Association Between Education and Basic Needs Insecurity for Marshallese During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to explore the prevalence of basic needs insecurity and to examine the association between education and basic needs insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic for Marshallese living in the USA.

Methods: Survey data describing Marshallese experiences during the pandemic were analyzed using descriptive statistics and complementary log-log regression to test the association between education and basic needs insecurity.

Results: Marshallese respondents reported no usual source of care (46%), less healthcare (22.3%), and difficulty obtaining medication (34.8%). Nearly 80% reported being food insecure, and 47.5% reported being housing insecure. Marshallese with a high school education or less had higher odds of reporting being food and housing insecure.

Discussion: Basic needs insecurities are a serious threat to the health of Marshallese during the pandemic. Results from this study can inform interventions addressing food and housing insecurity, access to healthcare, and medication access for Marshallese communities.

Keywords: Basic needs; COVID-19; Education; Food and housing insecurity; Marshallese.