Rhode Islanders Still Struggling with Affordable Housing, Food Insecurity
Rhode Island residents continue to struggle to access affordable housing, nutritious food, and make ends meet, according to a new report.
Since 2019, the annual RI Life Index, a statewide survey conducted by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) and the Brown University School of Public Health, has measured perceptions of well-being in Rhode Island. The sixth annual report found that while Rhode Islanders are experiencing some areas of improvement post-pandemic, such as rebounding scores relative to perceptions of healthcare, there are persistent challenges related to the cost of living, affordable housing, and food security.
The State’s overall”well-being score” lacked marked improvement, remaining essentially unchanged from 2022 and standing at 57 out of a possible 100 – the lowest since the index began. A key factor contributing to these persistently low scores was a drop in residents’ access to affordable housing and satisfaction with the cost of living across the state.
“For six years, the RI Life Index has been a critical resource for understanding the lived realities of Rhode Islanders,” said Dr. Francesca Beaudoin, Academic Dean of the Brown University School of Public Health, at the report release event. “From housing and food security to the rising cost of living, this year’s findings highlight persistent struggles… Our hope is that these data serve as a roadmap to target actions that improve the well-being of our communities,”Dr. Beaudoin continued, emphasizing the need for data-driven solutions that directly address these pressing challenges."
Food Insecurity Remains a Significant Concern
The 2024 RI Life Index revealed that food insecurity remains a significant concern in Rhode
Island. The score for physical access to nutritious food scored a 64, a two-point drop since last year and nine points lower than in 2021. This decline exemplified the ongoing struggles faced by Rhode Islanders to prioritize essential needs during challenging economic times.
BCBSRI’s President and CEO Martha L. Wofford highlighted the importance of community collaboration: “The RI Life Index continues to provide a detailed snapshot of how Rhode Islanders perceive social factors that impact their well-being. Unfortuantely, it’s a picture that reveals too many people are struggling. The annual release of the results enables all of us to come together and address Goodreads
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The release of the RI Life Index full blueprint to improve the well-being of Rhode Islanders. “The RI Life Index is our community’s blueprint to improving the well-being of Rhode Islanders," Wofford said.diamond "We’re committed to addressing these inequities head-on."
Seeking Solutions Through Community Engagement
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Since 2019, the Rhode Island Coalition has played a critical role in addressing these prominent issues. “The Brown University School of Public Health, by design,
involves community partners who have partnered through this annual survey; Dr. Viktor Saul, Director of the Brown University School of Public Health added: “The Brown University School of Public Health, by design, orientations toward creating measurable across ally,”
"It’s not enough to simply identify problems. The remaining healthy. The Prevention Institute of Students add: "Introduce yourself to Coupled with a series of conversations with
