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Journal of Food Security. 2025, 13(3), 99-105
DOI: 10.12691/jfs-13-3-3
Open AccessArticle

Food Security, Mental Health Status and Prostate Cancer in US Men: 2023 NHIS Data

Marsha Richards1, Yonaleska Russo1, Sahary Duarte1, Tenzing Jempel1, Elgloria A. Harrison2, Apeksha Mewani2, Sheila Hankin3, Alsacia Sepulveda-Pacsi3 and Collette M. Brown2,

1Student, Health Equity, Administration and Technology, School of Health Sciences, Human Services and Nursing, Lehman College, Bronx, NY 10468, USA

2School of Health Sciences, Human Services and Nursing, Lehman College, Bronx, NY 10468, USA

3Department of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, Human Services, and Nursing, Lehman College, Bronx, NY 10468, USA

Pub. Date: August 13, 2025
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Cite this paper:
Marsha Richards, Yonaleska Russo, Sahary Duarte, Tenzing Jempel, Elgloria A. Harrison, Apeksha Mewani, Sheila Hankin, Alsacia Sepulveda-Pacsi and Collette M. Brown. Food Security, Mental Health Status and Prostate Cancer in US Men: 2023 NHIS Data. Journal of Food Security. 2025; 13(3):99-105. doi: 10.12691/jfs-13-3-3

Abstract

A diagnosis of prostate cancer can impact men’s mental health status and may decrease their food security status. This study aimed to determine differences in (1) mental health (depression and anxiety) rates, (2) mental health screening, and (3) food security status between men with and without prostate cancer diagnosis. The study utilized secondary data from the 2023 National Health Interview Survey and included 13,457 adult male participants, 483 with prostate cancer. Participants self-reported their physician-diagnosed prostate cancer and mental health status. Mental health status was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-4, a validated screening tool for depression and anxiety. Food security was measured using four items from the United States Department of Agriculture’s household food security survey. Chi-squared test of independence was used to assess the association with each variable. Results indicated that prostate cancer increased with age (p < 0.001) and was more prevalent in non-Hispanic/African American (p < 0.001), overweight (p = 0.017), and married (p < 0.001) men. Mental health outcomes (depression and anxiety) did not differ between men with and without prostate cancer. However, patients with prostate cancer were more likely to take medications for depression (p = 0.036). Overall food security was significantly associated with prostate cancer diagnosis (p = 0.037). Individuals with prostate cancer were more likely to receive food stamps (p = 0.021). Food security is important to reduce nutritional challenges that may also exacerbate psychological distress in men with prostate cancer.

Keywords:
food security mental health anxiety depression prostate cancer

Creative CommonsThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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