Poor housing, high crime and underperforming schools may have a greater influence on access to healthy food than transportation or income in neighbourhoods historically affected by redlining, according to a new study. Redlining was a discriminatory practice that denied loans, insurance and mortgages to residents of certain neighbourhoods, disproportionately affecting racial and ethnic minority communities.
The study, led by Sebastian Linde, a health policy researcher at the Texas A&M University School of Public Health, examined why some neighbourhoods have better access to healthy food than others. The findings suggest that simply opening more grocery stores may not be enough to address food insecurity. Instead, researchers say improving the broader neighbourhood environment could be key to creating lasting change.
“This suggests that simply adding grocery stores is not the answer — solutions should be found for the entire neighborhood environment,” Linde said. He noted that understanding the underlying causes of limited food access could help city planners and policymakers develop more effective strategies rather than focusing solely on increasing the number of food retailers.
The issue is particularly important because poor diets are closely associated with obesity and other health problems. Adult obesity in the United States has risen substantially over the past two decades, while severe obesity has also increased. Financial hardship can further compound the problem, as households with limited resources may rely on cheaper, less nutritious foods. Food shortages can also contribute to stress and unhealthy eating patterns when food becomes available.
Although redlining was outlawed in 1968, researchers say its effects continue to shape many communities. Historically redlined neighbourhoods often experience persistent poverty and segregation, along with other social and economic disadvantages. Many of these communities also have numerous fast-food restaurants but few grocery stores offering healthier food choices, potentially contributing to long-term differences in health outcomes.
The researchers analysed data from nearly 9,600 neighbourhoods across 38 states, combining U.S. Census information with historical redlining maps and data comparing the availability of grocery stores and fast-food restaurants. They also used a specialised dataset designed to examine connections between historical differences in access to credit and present-day health disparities. The analysis considered factors including housing, education, crime and safety, transportation, social cohesion, the built environment, and community wealth and income.
The results showed that historically redlined areas generally experienced greater neighbourhood hardship, although access to healthy food varied considerably. Some communities had few or no healthy food options, while others had relatively good access. Among the factors examined, high crime rates, substandard housing and poorer educational environments emerged as the strongest drivers associated with differences in food access.
Linde said improving food security will likely require collaboration among housing, city planning, public health agencies and community organisations. Strategies such as community gardens could also strengthen social connections while supporting healthier neighbourhoods. Although the study cannot establish cause and effect and did not examine factors such as food affordability or quality, the researchers say neighbourhood-level approaches could help communities address the long-term consequences of redlining and develop locally appropriate solutions to improve food security.
More information: Rebekah J. Walker et al, Structural Drivers of Neighborhood Food Access: Implications for Policy Change, Obesity. DOI: 10.1002/oby.70205
Journal information: Obesity Provided by Texas A&M University
