Los Angeles County WIC Data
Leveraging data to better serve vulnerable populations
The L.A. County WIC Data Mining Research Partnership between PHFE WIC and First 5 LA addresses critical gaps in information about low-income families in L.A. County.
First, this partnership leverages analysis from an extensive administrative database containing information about WIC families, including socio-demographic and health information, for the duration of WIC services (from the prenatal period through the child’s 5th birthday). L.A. County is the only county that is able to electronically aggregate and analyze WIC data across multiple WIC agencies (seven total in L.A. County). In addition, this partnership supports the triennial Los Angeles County WIC Survey (2005, 2008, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2020), designed to better understand health outcomes and factors associated with the well-being experiences of WIC families. Together, these two sources provide comprehensive information to inform health planners, policy makers and community leaders about the needs and vulnerabilities of low-income families – a crucial first step to better meeting the needs of these families through policies and other resources that can help them thrive.
About First 5 LA
First 5 LA is a child advocacy organization created by California voters to invest tobacco tax revenues in programs for improving the lives of children in Los Angeles County, from pregnancy through age 5. The organization champions health, education and safety causes concerning young children and families. First 5 LA has provided funding for the L.A. County WIC Data Mining Partnership since 2002.
For additional information about First 5 LA, its partners and projects, visit www.first5la.org.
About WIC
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is a food and nutrition education program for pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants and children under age five who are low-income (up to 185% of the Federal Poverty Level) and at nutritional risk.
Funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), WIC provides nutrition education, breastfeeding promotion and support, medical and social service referrals, and supplemental foods to eligible families. WIC is a short-term intervention program designed to influence lifetime nutrition and health behaviors in this targeted, high-risk population. Nationwide, approximately 23% of the individuals served are women, 24% are infants and the remaining 53% are children ages one to five. WIC services are available in every state and US territory.
WIC organizations are devoted to improving nutrition and health among pregnant women and young children. The following seven local agency WIC Programs provide these services in L.A. County in about 80 sites across the County:
- Antelope Valley Hospital WIC Program
- City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services WIC Program
- South LA Health Projects/ Lundquist Institute WIC Program
- Northeast Valley Health Corporation WIC Program
- Pasadena Public Health Department WIC Program
- PHFE WIC Program
- Watts Healthcare Corporation WIC Program
