COST TO COMMUNITIES

Child hunger is also an economic and social problem. Research studies show that hunger among children adversely affects community prosperity and growth. 

• Short-term: Hungry children have greater odds of being hospitalized, and the average pediatric hospitalization costs approximately $12,000.
• Long-term:  Results of chronic under-nutrition contribute to high health care costs.
• Child hunger leads to greater absenteeism and turnover in the work environment, both of which are costly for employers.  Child sick days are linked to parent-employee absences.

Child hunger is a workforce and job readiness problem:*

• Workers who experience hunger as children are not as well prepared physically, mentally, emotionally or socially to perform effectively in the contemporary workforce.
• Workers who experienced hunger as children create a workforce that has lower levels of educational and technical skills and thus is less competitive.

*  Child Food Insecurity: The Economic Impact on Our Nation, released July 2009 by Feeding America, the nation’s food bank network, and ConAgra Food Foundation.