Health, Economic, and Social Outcomes Experienced by Low-Income Recipients of a Community-Based Diaper Bank

Background:Families with young children enrolled in Medicaid, WIC, or SNAP are unable to purchase diapers with benefits from these programs. Many low-income families struggle to afford diapers amid the cost of other basic necessities. To address diaper need as a contributor to health disparities and social inequities, The Diaper Bank of NC, a community-based organization, provides local families with supplemental diapers.

 Methods: We conducted a formative evaluation of The Diaper Bank of NC in 2014-2015, including a survey of families receiving diapers (N=104). Topics included demographics, unmet diaper need, and outcomes of receiving diapers. Additionally, 10 diaper recipients participated in in-depth interviews about their experiences.

 Results:The majority of respondent families reported at least one working adult. In the past year, many families struggled with food insecurity, transportation, housing, affordable childcare, unemployment, neighborhood violence, paying utility and medical bills, meeting educational goals, and purchasing basic necessities such as soap and toilet paper. Families receiving diapers reported positive direct health outcomes as well as indirect, social and economic outcomes such as opportunities to pay a bill and/or send a child to childcare; allowing an adult in the household to attend work or school; and purchasing basic necessities.

 Conclusions: This study contributes to the limited research on diaper banks. The supplemental diapers provided positively impact families’ health, finances, and abilities to work. These results can inform public health efforts to meet needs of young children and suggest provision of diapers may play a role in addressing social determinants of health.