Evaluations of WIC's Effectiveness

GAO discussed evaluations of the effectiveness of the Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), focusing on the effects of the program on miscarriages, still-births, neonatal deaths, maternal nutrition, and high-risk mothers. GAO noted that there is insufficient evaluation information to make any general or conclusive judgments as to whether the WIC program is effective or not. Many of the documents which GAO reviewed did not adequately describe the design, execution, or analyses that were used in evaluations. However, there are indications that the program has had positive effects in some areas. Further, improvement has been seen in the design and methodology of recent evaluations. GAO concluded that sufficient evidence is available to support numerous inferences about the WIC program, but no definite conclusions can be made.