Access to and Satisfaction with the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program: Differences Across Race, Ethnicity, Income, and Urbanicity among Missouri Residents.

This article examines differences in access to and satisfaction with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) among marginalized groups in Missouri, a state with high food insecurity and low WIC participation. Using data from a 2022 survey of 2,232 WIC-eligible Missouri residents, the study found that Black households faced significantly higher barriers to accessing WIC clinics compared to White households, while Hispanic households reported greater satisfaction with WIC services. Rural participants were generally less satisfied with WIC overall but more likely to feel that WIC met their dietary needs than urban participants. The findings highlight the need for targeted policy and program improvements to reduce access barriers for Black households and enhance satisfaction among rural and low-income populations to increase equitable WIC participation.