The association between transportation insecurity and food insecurity among older adults in Clark County, Nevada

Introduction As the population of older adults continues to grow, addressing social determinants of health that influence access to basic needs is increasingly important for supporting healthy aging. Transportation and food insecurity represent interconnected challenges that may limit older adults’ ability to live independently and access essential resources. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between transportation insecurity and food insecurity among older adults aged 60 and older residing in Clark County, NV. Methods A quantitative, cross-sectional survey was administered via telephone (n = 1,001) between November 2022 and February 2023 using random-digit dialing, yielding a 24.58% cooperation rate. Transportation insecurity was assessed using the Sixteen-Item Transportation Security Index, and food insecurity was measured using the USDA 6-item short form Food Security Survey Module. Demographic and socioeconomic variables were included as covariates. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to evaluate associations. Results Food insecurity was reported by 18.2% of participants, while 25.3% experienced transportation insecurity. A logistic regression model (ꭔ 2 = 263.509, df = 19, n = 789, p < 0.001) indicated that transportation insecurity was significantly associated with food insecurity, with individuals experiencing transportation insecurity having 4.26 times the odds of being food insecure. Having a disability and lower income were positively associated with food insecurity, while older age (85+) was negatively associated with food insecurity. Conclusions Transportation barriers and food access challenges frequently overlap among older adults and should be addressed in tandem. Integrating transportation solutions into food access interventions may strengthen public health efforts to reduce disparities and support aging populations.