SPOTLIGHT ON:
Improving Access to Food: A Health Equity Imperative
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Evelyn Yang, Ph.D., Senior Associate,
Community Science
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With obesity rates on the rise in the United States and a national focus on healthcare reform, systems change in how we view healthy eating and food access is a priority. Additionally, with a disproportionate number of food deserts, i.e., areas where affordable and nutritious food is difficult to obtain, particularly for those without access to an automobile1, in low-income neighborhoods, food access becomes a critical health equity issue.
Improving access to food includes not just improving the availability of healthy foods in communities, but also improving the affordability and quality of food as well as eliminating barriers that make it difficult for residents to access markets and stores. This requires a comprehensive view of the issue and an understanding of local conditions within a specific community that are impeding food access for residents. For example, healthy food outlets may exist; however, barriers to accessing them may occur in the form of lack of transportation to outlets or unsafe conditions surrounding local markets (e.g., lack of sidewalks, crime). For other communities, there may be many food outlets, but they are comprised of mostly unhealthy food options (e.g., fast food chains). Other communities may have healthy food options, but the cost of fresh fruits and vegetables makes them inaccessible to low-income residents.
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Project Spotlight:
Transforming Prince George's County Communities
Evelyn Yang, Ph.D., Senior Associate,
Community Science
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Community Science has been working with the Institute for Public Health Innovation (IPHI) to evaluate Transforming Prince George's County Communities, a comprehensive initiative to improve nutrition and physical activity for low-income residents in Prince George's County, Maryland. Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Community Transformation Grant, this effort focuses on changes in policies, systems, programs, and infrastructure to improve access to healthy foods and recreational opportunities.
IPHI Program Associate Kate McGrail stated, "This project has proactively engaged county stakeholders, including Prince George's County community members, in order to identify sustainable solutions and incorporate them into county policies to create safe and healthy
environments for families in ways that matter to them-affordable healthy food, active lifestyles, and stronger clinical preventive services."
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Staff Profile: Lexie Perreras
Lexie Perreras, M.P.H., Research Assistant, assists with data collection and analysis, project coordination, and reporting for several research and evaluation projects related to health disparities and systems-level change. She has experience with both quantitative and qualitative methods as well as evaluation planning and implementation. Prior to joining Community Science, she worked at a research and development company focused on creating web-based technologies for health and well-being. Ms. Perreras' professional interests include health disparities, implementation science, and participatory approaches in health promotion. Ms.
Perreras is a CrossFit enthusiast and salsa dancer.
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Presentations and Publications
Dr. Julia Lee, Managing Associate at Community Science, together with former Community Science Senior Associate Dr. LaKeesha Woods, facilitated a roundtable discussion titled, "Measuring Racial Equity: Challenges, Opportunities, and Applications of Culturally Responsive Assessment" at the Culturally Responsive Evaluation and Assessment (CREA) 2014 Conference in Chicago on September 20, 2014.
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Upcoming Conferences
APHA 142nd Annual Meeting and Exposition
Nov 15-19, 2014
New Orleans, LA
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Join Us!
Community Science is currently recruiting for the following positions:
the Community Science CAREERS page.
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About Community Science
Community Science is an award winning research and development organization that works with governments, foundations, and non-profit organizations on solutions to social problems through community and other systems changes.
To learn more, visit our PROJECTS page.
To discuss how Community Science can collaborate with your organization, contact us at 301-519-0722 or info@communityscience.com |
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