A joint study by the Navarre Food Bank and the Public University of Navarre found that poverty significantly deteriorates health, with higher rates of anxiety and depression among those facing food insecurity, inadequate housing, precarious employment and limited resources for healthy living. The research, conducted among food‑bank users, shows that 114,046 people in Navarre – 16.5% of the population – are at risk of poverty or social exclusion, despite the region’s low overall AROPE rate of 14.7%.
The authors argue that poverty should be treated as a public‑health issue and call for policies that guarantee adequate nutrition, decent housing, stable employment and coordinated support between food banks and health and social services. They also highlight the growing phenomenon of the “working poor,” where employment no longer ensures economic stability.
Entities
Navarre · Navarre Food Bank · Public University of Navarre · Spanish Government