The WIC Program in the United States

The WIC Program in the United States

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, also known as WIC, is a program designed to influence nutrition and health. WIC is available for low-income pregnant women, infants, and young children. Not only does WIC assist with nutrition, but it also provides nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to health care and social services. WIC has led to healthier infants and children by providing support to families in need. Administrations and Congress have provided sufficient funding since 1977 to make sure that WIC can help all eligible women, infants, and children. 

“During the 1960s, various studies identified hunger as a major problem in this country. Physicians described young women, often pregnant, in their clinics with various ailments caused by lack of food. In Atlanta, GA, doctors, and clinic staff began to prescribe needed food, and the prescription served to needed women” (History of WIC, 2021). A decade later, the White House Conference on Food, Nutrition, and Health decided to focus on the problem of hunger due to many families living in poverty. Conference recommendations started focusing on the nutritional needs of low-income pregnant women and pre-school children. On September 26, 1972, the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 was signed, which led to the creation of The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). A year later, WIC made two different food packages available, one for infants and another one for children and pregnant or breastfeeding women. In 1998, The William F. Goodling Child Nutrition Re-authorization Act of 1998 required all eligible parents to be physically present, provide evidence of income, and residency. The latest change in the WIC system was in 2010, under President Barak Obama. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act was established for WIC agencies to adopt an electronic benefit transfer system. This system would introduce the debit card system in order to replace the paper vouchers, which had been used in the United States since 1968.

It is very simple to apply and become a WIC participant. The individual must contact their area’s state or local agency to set up an appointment. Usually, when an individual calls to set up an appointment, someone will inform them about the nearest office in their area and what to bring to the appointment, such as picture ID, social security card, birth certificate, proof of residency, and proof of income. At the appointment, the individual will be asked to fill out forms that will determine if the mom and child are eligible for WIC. Next, the mom and child will have their weight and height measured. After all the events above are accomplished or done, the mother will be informed about their next WIC visit, and she will receive the vouchers that fit best to her situation. The WIC vouchers provide food for mothers, infants, and children. The vouchers include foods such as, infant cereal, adult cereal, fruit, vegetables, juice, eggs, milk, cheese, peanut butter, beans, bread, baby food, and so much more. 

According to the article, WIC Works: Addressing the Nutrition and Health Needs of Low-Income Families for More Than Four Decades by Steven Carlson, there is strong evidence that supports the impact that WIC has done on low-income families. “WIC supports healthier diets, promotes breastfeeding and better infant feeding practices, and may improve food security among children. Since the introduction of improved food packages better aligned with current dietary guidance, WIC participants are purchasing and consuming more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy” (Carlson, 2021). Healthy eating practices are essential during infancy and early childhood for children to grow and develop healthy. Good nutrition is very important during pregnancy in order to support the development of the fetus and to protect the mother from pregnancy risks, such as diabetes, excessive weight gain, iron deficiency anemia, and miscarriage. Therefore, WIC aims to improve the health and nutrition of low-income women and their children by providing help. 

WIC has been successful due to the help of Administrations and Congress. Both systems have made sure to provide sufficient funding for low-income pregnant women, infants, and young children. “Research suggests that prenatal and early childhood participation in WIC is associated with improved cognitive development and academic achievement. WIC is quite effective in reaching women during, rather than after, their pregnancy: 83 percent of new mothers participating in WIC enrolled during their pregnancy” (Carlson, 2021) Research has provided evidence determining that WIC has been efficient for low-income women and children. 

Works Cited

| By Steven Carlson[1] and Zoë Neuberger, & More from the Authors Steven Carlson Steven Carl. (n.d.). WIC Works: Addressing the Nutrition and Health Needs of Low-Income Families for More Than Four Decades. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. https://www.cbpp.org/research/food-assistance/wic-works-addressing-the-nutrition-and-health-needs-of-low-income-families. 

History of WIC. Snap To Health. (n.d.). https://www.snaptohealth.org/wic-2/history-of-wic/.