New research emerging from the University of Hawai’i system throws a spotlight on a pressing issue that has long remained on the peripheries of academic and public discourse: period poverty among college students. Period poverty—defined as the inability to afford or access essential menstrual hygiene products—represents more than just a physical barrier to health; it is intricately tied to broader socio-economic and mental health challenges. While national estimates indicate that approximately 14% of college students experience period poverty, this recent study reveals that the rates may be substantially higher within the University of Hawai’i population, emphasizing the gravity of this hidden crisis in educational environments.
Delving deeply into the scientific nuances of these findings, the study tracked 462 college students, unveiling that a staggering one in four students in the University of Hawai’i system reported experiencing period poverty in the last year. This equates to a 25% prevalence rate, almost double the national average, hinting at underlying vulnerabilities and systemic disparities afflicting this demographic. The higher prevalence rate raises an urgent question: what are the socio-economic and cultural dynamics driving such elevated rates at Hawai’i’s public universities?
Of particular concern is the racial and ethnic disparity revealed by the data. The study notes that 51 percent of Native Hawaiian students and 41 percent of Filipina students reported period poverty, a trend that brings to light the compounding effects of historical marginalization, economic disenfranchisement, and cultural stigmatization. This ethnic stratification in health outcomes spotlights how menstrual health is not just a medical issue but a social equity concern that intersects with race, culture, and access to essential services.
The implications of period poverty, as illuminated by this research, extend well beyond the immediate concern of inadequate menstrual hygiene. Prior literature has associated insufficient access to tampons, sanitary napkins, pads, and menstrual cups with higher susceptibility to urogenital infections such as urinary tract infections. Such infections can lead to chronic health problems if untreated, underscoring the necessity of consistent and hygienic menstrual care. Furthermore, the lack of access impacts mental health, with affected students reporting increased depressive symptoms and anxiety stemming from shame, stigma, and the added stress of managing menstruation without adequate resources.
Another salient aspect of this research is the documented interplay between period poverty and other basic needs insecurities among students. Notably, those experiencing period poverty often face significant food and housing insecurity, indicating a clustering of socio-economic vulnerabilities that compound to degrade their academic performance and overall well-being. The university students trapped in this cycle not only face physical health risks but must also contend with mental health challenges that impair concentration, motivation, and participation in educational activities.
Academic disruption is one of the most tangible outcomes tied to period poverty. The research uncovered that 35 percent of students enduring period poverty reported interruptions in their academic pursuits, frequent absenteeism, or disengagement during menstruation. This disruption underscores the systemic barrier period poverty imposes on educational equity, potentially hampering career trajectories, economic mobility, and psychosocial development.
Intersecting with these findings is the high incidence of depressive symptoms among students experiencing period poverty, with 23 percent reporting such mental health challenges. These figures suggest that period poverty is not an isolated phenomenon but part of a broader mental health crisis exacerbated by financial strain, social marginalization, and inadequate institutional support.
Underpinning these alarming statistics is a call for structural change. The research, led by PhD candidate Samantha Kanselaar alongside senior author and professor Jhumka Gupta, emphasizes the urgent need for universities and policymakers to intervene. They advocate for robust support systems that transcend mere product distribution, incorporating food and housing assistance, mental health resources, and culturally sensitive outreach programs tailored to the unique needs of marginalized student populations.
Moreover, this study contributes vital data on Native Hawaiians, a group historically underrepresented in national menstrual health research. The disproportionately high incidence of period poverty within this community accentuates ongoing health disparities and highlights how entrenched social determinants of health—such as poverty, systemic racism, and marginalization—manifest in tangible health outcomes. The research thus provides a critical evidence base to inform targeted public health policies that address the intersectionality of race, class, and gender in health equity.
The findings also have direct legislative relevance, reinforcing momentum behind bills like the Menstrual Equity for All Act. This federal legislation aims to guarantee unrestricted access to menstrual products across various populations and settings, including educational institutions. By showcasing the tangible consequences of period poverty on academic disruption and mental health, the study underscores the urgency of such policy initiatives to buffer vulnerable groups from systemic neglect.
In translating these insights to action, the project exemplifies the power of academic-community partnerships. Collaborating with Maʻi Movement Hawaiʻi, a grassroots menstrual equity organization instrumental in mandating free menstrual products in Hawai’i’s public and charter schools, the research reflects a model of inclusive, community-engaged scholarship. This partnership facilitated student recruitment across three universities and seven community colleges, ensuring diversified representation and real-world impact.
The study’s revelations extend beyond statistics; they tell a human story of resilience amid hardship. Native Hawaiian student co-founder Nikki Ann Yee frames this phenomenon as a systemic failure rather than isolated individual hardship. Given period poverty’s entanglement with broader societal maladies, including food and housing insecurity, these findings emphasize that addressing period poverty requires holistic, intersectional solutions that tackle root causes such as economic inequality and social exclusion.
Ultimately, this pioneering research punctuates a critical public health narrative: menstrual health is fundamental not only to individual dignity and well-being but also to the collective aim of educational equity and mental health stability. As institutions and policymakers digest these findings, the imperative to normalize menstrual health discourse and guarantee equitable access to menstrual products becomes increasingly undeniable. Efforts toward dismantling stigma, destigmatizing poverty, and fostering inclusive community supports may contribute to meaningful change, ultimately empowering students to thrive academically and psychologically.
In conclusion, the University of Hawai’i study offers compelling evidence that period poverty is not merely an individual hardship but a systemic challenge intertwined with racial inequities, basic needs insecurities, and mental health burdens. It calls for coordinated community, institutional, and legislative actions to dismantle barriers around menstrual health and promote wellbeing for all students, ensuring that menstruation does not diminish educational opportunity or quality of life.
Subject of Research: People
Article Title: Period poverty, housing and food insecurity, and mental health among college students in Hawaiʻi
News Publication Date: 29-Jan-2026
Web References:
- International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics Article DOI
- Maʻi Movement Hawaiʻi
- George Mason University Profile of Jhumka Gupta
References:
- Kanselaar, S., Gupta, J., et al. Period poverty, housing and food insecurity, and mental health among college students in Hawaiʻi. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.70833.
Keywords: Menstruation, Poverty, Public health, Mental health, Food insecurity, Housing insecurity, Native Hawaiian health, College student health, Menstrual equity
