Study finds food insecurity remains in historically redlined neighborhoods
Bad housing, high crime and poor schools are more important than transportation or income when it comes to accessing healthy food in neighborhoods historically subjected to "redlining"—the now-illegal practice once used to refuse loans, insurance or mortgages to people in certain neighborhoods that were disproportionately inhabited by racial and ethnic minorities.
A recent study reveals that issues such as poor housing, crime, and substandard schools in historically redlined neighborhoods play a more significant role in food insecurity than transportation or income. This finding is crucial, as obesity rates have risen dramatically in the United States. The study, conducted by researchers from Texas A&M University School of Public Health and the State University of New York at Buffalo, analyzed four data sources to determine the factors affecting food access in these neighborhoods.
The main drivers of food access in these areas were found to be high crime rates and substandard housing and schools. The researchers emphasize that simply adding grocery stores is not enough to address the issue; instead, a more comprehensive approach is needed, involving collaboration across various sectors to improve the overall neighborhood environment.
This includes initiatives like community gardens to increase social cohesion. While the study has limitations, such as not proving cause and effect, applying to cities and suburbs only, and not measuring every aspect of food access, it still provides valuable insights for policymakers and city planners. By addressing the root causes of food insecurity, it is hoped that these ongoing adverse trends can be reversed.
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