Healthy Food Access in Low-Income High-Minority Communities

A Longitudinal Assessment—2009–2017

Bibliographic Data

ID15501425
AuthorsPunam Ohri-Vachaspati (0000-0001-9619-9816, Phoenix VA Health Care System, corresponding author), Robin S DeWeese (0000-0001-7762-7256, Arizona State University), Francesco Acciai (0000-0002-7881-7593, Arizona State University), Derek DeLia (0000-0001-9009-110X, Georgetown University), David Tulloch (0000-0002-0692-9190, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey), Diane Tong (0000-0001-7005-5128, Arizona State University), Daoqin Tong (Arizona State University), Cori Lorts (0000-0003-2883-6208, Northern Arizona University), Michael J Yedidia (0000-0002-0645-3575, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey)
Year2019
Volume16
Issue13
Pages2354-2354
Publication date2019-07-03
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph16132354
PMID31277250
OpenAlexW2954387052
LanguageEN
Citations received24
References cited30

Disparities in healthy food access are well documented in cross-sectional studies in communities across the United States. However, longitudinal studies examining changes in food environments within various neighborhood contexts are scarce. In a sample of 142 census tracts in four low-income, high-minority cities in New Jersey, United States, we examined the availability of different types of food stores by census tract characteristics over time (2009-2017). Outlets were classified as supermarkets, small grocery stores, convenience stores, and pharmacies using multiple sources of data and a rigorous protocol. Census tracts were categorized by median household income and race/ethnicity of the population each year. Significant declines were observed in convenience store prevalence in lower- and medium-income and majority black tracts ( p for trend: 0.004, 0.031, and 0.006 respectively), while a slight increase was observed in the prevalence of supermarkets in medium-income tracts ( p for trend: 0.059). The decline in prevalence of convenience stores in lower-income and minority neighborhoods is likely attributable to declining incomes in these already poor communities. Compared to non-Hispanic neighborhoods, Hispanic communities had a higher prevalence of small groceries and convenience stores. This higher prevalence of smaller stores, coupled with shopping practices of Hispanic consumers, suggests that efforts to upgrade smaller stores in Hispanic communities may be more sustainable

Agriculture · Economics · Environmental health · Food insecurity · Food security · Geography · Low income · Socioeconomics · Child Nutrition and Water Access · Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations · Medicine · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Gerontology