Can the introduction of a full-service supermarket in a food desert improve residents' economic status and health?
Equity Focus
This study targets the impact of locating a new supermarket in a desert in a low-income neighbourhood on improving the health of residents.
Case Summary
This project estimated the impacts of a new supermarket in a low-income desert, on residents’ economic status and health. A randomly selected cohort in two low-income Pittsburgh neighborhoods before and about 1 year following the opening of a supermarket were surveyed. There were declines in food insecurity, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participation and fewer new diagnoses of high cholesterol and arthritis in the neighborhood with the new supermarket relative to residents of the comparison neighborhood. We also found suggestive evidence that residents’ incomes increased more and prevalence of diabetes increased less in the neighborhood with the supermarket than in the comparison neighborhood.
Lessons Learned
- Locating a new supermarket in a low-income neighborhood may improve residents’ economic well-being and health. Policymakers should consider broad impacts of neighborhood investment that could translate into improved health for residents of underserved neighborhoods.
KEY FACTS
Country
United States
WHO region
Americas
Country income level
HIC
Action Area
Community food environment intervention
Step
Transform
Authors
A. S. Richardson; M. Ghosh-Dastidar; R. Beckman; K. R. Florez; A. DeSantis; R. L. Collins; T. Dubowitz
Year published
2017
Search results for Framework: Transform: 12
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