In the allocation matrices used for both Adult Well-being and Food Security data processing, we identified misspecified demographic characteristic dimensions. These characteristics are used to identify respondents with valid data that resemble those with missing data. This is then used to provide values for respondents with missing data.

In the Food Security edit, a demographic variable had been misspecified. Categories of this variable were grouped together unintentionally between 2014 and 2024. This resulted in assigned values that less accurately reflect the average value for those characteristics. This has been corrected in the 2024 data. Categories are now grouped correctly, and assigned values are more accurate.

In both the Adult Well-being and Food Security edits, a variable collected on a monthly basis was used instead of a variable reflecting annual values between 2014 and 2024. This resulted in the majority of cases being placed into one category. This resulted in less accurate allocation across with respect to this variable.

Users should be aware of this issue when using allocated values prior to 2024 and comparing 2024 food security estimates to prior years.