Does state-level supplemental nutrition assistance program access reduce firearm mortality among black youth? A two-way fixed effects analysis of age-stratified and cause-specific outcomes across 22 states, 2000–2020

State-level SNAP access for Black individuals demonstrates protective associations with firearm mortality among Black youth, particularly for homicides affecting adolescents aged 10-18 years and suicides for young adults aged 19-25. These findings suggest that expanding receipt of SNAP benefits among families living near or below the federal poverty line could serve as an upstream intervention for reducing firearm violence, especially during critical developmental periods. Future research examining mechanisms linking economic support to violence prevention is warranted to explore integration with other protective interventions.