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Food deserts are typically associated with limiting health variables, which can contribute to poor nutrition and result in negative medical conditions among residents. Patterns in the differences and similarities in the experiences of residents within urban and rural food deserts are caused by a myriad of factors. This paper will display how all three of the referenced studies conducted on different urban and rural food desert locations within the U.S. indicate that rural residents face a greater amount of health disparities due to variables like affordability and income, distance, time of day, and social and demographic variables–all of which can affect one's nutritional intake. Researching and exploring comparisons between various urban and rural food deserts within the U.S. can indirectly lead to possible intervention and alleviation methods to improve access to nutritional foods. Research-based solutions that tackle nutritional intake in both urban and rural food deserts could effectively reduce and potentially mitigate a multitude of negative health consequences caused by living in a food desert, those of which tend to be made up of low-income residents and people of color. A more condensed food desert map within a singular state such as California was initially considered for a smaller area to analyze, but many available studies on food deserts conduct their research from different locations in the U.S.

Introduction/Objectives: Americans, including veterans, living in rural areas experience higher rates of food insecurity than the general population in the United States, but rural veteran food insecurity remains an understudied subject. Due to a lack of data on the subject, this project aimed to use geographic information systems (GIS) mapping of proxy variables for rural veteran food insecurity in order to identify areas of high vulnerability where future research could be targeted. Methods: Key factors which may indicate vulnerability to rural veteran food insecurity were identified in a review of the literature. These factors were mapped in ArcGIS Pro, including veteran population, community health, county rurality, and locations of food deserts. Results: After areas were identified that met search criteria, 3 sites were identified which serve a highly rural patient population and whose population has the highest vulnerability to rural veteran food insecurity based on search criteria. Conclusions: This project demonstrates how GIS mapping can be used to identify regions in the United States at high vulnerability for rural veteran food insecurity. Findings from this project will be used by the project team to develop interventions for rural veteran food insecurity which can be implemented at the local or national level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The text discusses two books, "The City Creative" by Carriere and Schalliol, and "The Largest Art" by Ryan, which focus on urban design and placemaking. Carriere and Schalliol critique mainstream creative placemaking, emphasizing the importance of grassroots approaches that address local community needs. On the other hand, Ryan's book explores urban design as a distinct art form, advocating for a pluralist approach that embraces the complexity and evolving nature of cities. Both books offer valuable insights into urban interventions and the diverse perspectives that shape urban spaces. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of World Water Policy is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Food insecurity is a major social determinant of health (SDH). However, further research is needed on the associations between SDH and diet among individuals living in urban food deserts. We designed a pilot study to examine the associations between diet and seven measures of SDH. Forty-five participants were enrolled in the study and were scheduled for an in-person or telephone interview. Food insecurity was significantly associated with greater intakes of fast food and refined grains. Employment was significantly associated with higher intake of alcohol. Findings from this pilot study confirm the importance of examining SDH in relation to diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food insecurity and transportation inequity are known to disproportionately impact the welfare of marginalized communities. Our study analyzed census data in Harris County, Texas comparing food insecurity rate and components of the Quality Affordable Transportation Index to explore their relationship. Mapping, geographically weighted regression (GWR), and linear regression methods were used to identify relationships between food insecurity and transportation. Poor walkability is more commonly associated with food insecure areas than is poor public transit in Harris County. GWR helped to identify an area of strong correlation between walkability and food insecurity in southwestern Harris County that may benefit from further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More than one in ten Americans are food insecure, with significantly higher rates in minority communities. Most of the extensive research on food insecurity focuses on food deserts and the accessibility to well-stocked supermarkets, with much less known about the role of dollar stores in the urban environment. We draw on retail redlining as a conceptual framework because of its utility in describing the interaction of race/ethnicity, poverty, and profit-seeking in the spatial distribution of food outlets in urban areas. Specifically, we examine how race/ethnicity and poverty predict differential access to dollar stores and supermarkets in Chicago. We find that race and ethnicity remain significant predictors of access to retail outlets, even when controlling for a variety of additional factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Ciência & Saúde Coletiva is the property of Associacao Brasileira de Pos-Graduacao em Saude Coletiva and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The disappearance of food shops in small towns and villages is a common feature in many European areas. The food habits of rural inhabitants are affected by the limitations on their food supply, posing a challenge to how they organise their daily eating. Although this represents a major problem for the quality of life in rural areas, food access problems have been understudied in Europe. This paper presents some research notes to encourage the study of the effects of the shortfall in food businesses in depopulated rural areas of Europe as a guide for research on this phenomenon. The paper reviews the international literature, drawing attention to the theoretical problems and methodological limitations involved in this type of study. A series of recommendations are given with the aim of enabling future research to record the food situation of the inhabitants of impoverished and depopulated territories with greater precision and depth.

ABSTRACT This paper argues that people can deserve the option to give. Discussions of desert tend to focus on the benefits and burdens that people might, in some sense, receive, like wealth and jobs. But intuitively, people can also deserve the ability to decide what to do with their wealth or to select who gets a job. Shaping distributive policies and outcomes in accordance with desert is more complicated than philosophers have realised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes the narrative of one small rural community college's concurrent enrollment program, seeking to highlight and make sense of the particular dynamics of operating this type of programing in rural spaces. Dual or concurrent enrollment options can offer students increased access to postsecondary options in rural education deserts, as well as contribute to the economic health of the region through workforce development. However, the same challenges and benefits of rural life also comprise the dynamics within which this programing must operate. The manuscript concludes with recommendations for practice, research, and policy, relevant to both concurrent enrollment program operation and the broader college mission of rural community development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine endometrial cancer survivors' access to healthy food resources recommended by the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) in relation to food deserts and social health determinants. Participants included women seen for endometrial cancer treatment at an academic medical center in the Deep South from 2015 to 2020 who lived in South Carolina. Demographic and comorbidity data were abstracted from medical records. Food desert data were obtained from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Each patient was assigned a socioeconomic (SES) score (SES-1 = low, SES-5 = high) using census data and a social vulnerability index (SVI) using Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data for neighborhood adverse health effects. Geospatial techniques assessed patients' driving distance from home to a healthy food resource. Of the 736 endometrial cancer survivors, 31% identified as African American, and 30% lived in low SES (SES-1, SES-2) census blocks. Most survivors had low grade disease (63%) and 76% with stage 1–2 disease. Seventy percent of patients were obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m2). Forty percent of survivors lived in a food desert. Survivors living in a food desert with low SES had significantly higher social vulnerability (p = 0.0001) and lower median income (p = 0.0001). Those with low SES and living in a food desert drove further (p = 0.05, range 0.017–12.0 miles). Obesity rates were high in endometrial cancer survivors living in the Deep South. Survivors with higher social vulnerability and lower SES were more likely to live in food deserts with decreased access to healthy food resources. • Endometrial cancer survivors have high rates of obesity. • Endometrial cancer survivors in lower SES communities have worse obesity-related comorbidities. • Substantial number of endometrial cancer survivors live in food deserts. • Patterns of healthy food access or living in a food desert is variable depending on SES and race/ethnicity. • Women in areas with high social vulnerability and lower SES had decreased access to healthy food resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food security among rural veteran populations is an understudied subject. This study uses qualitative data from 106 semi-structured interviews conducted with staff from programs at the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other federal agencies, staff from non-governmental organizations (NGOs), food security researchers, and food insecure veterans to identify the barriers to and facilitators for rural veteran food security. Barriers identified included external, structural barriers that exist in rural areas; internal barriers to using food assistance, such as feeling stigmatized; and barriers related to other social determinants of health, including a lack of education, employment, or housing stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: (1) The methodological approach based on multiscale geographically weighted regression provides a nuanced understanding of how urban factors influence health disparities. (2) The findings highlight the importance of food accessibility as a determinant of health, reinforcing the need for interdisciplinary approaches that combine public health, urban planning, and nutrition science. (3) Policymakers can use this data to identify priority areas for improving food access, particularly in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. This could involve incentivizing grocery stores and markets to establish themselves in underserved areas or enhancing public transportation links to existing food resources. (4) The call for sustainable food systems to support public health highlights the importance of long-term strategies that ensure consistent access to healthy, affordable food. This can influence agricultural policies, support for local food producers, and the promotion of urban agriculture initiatives. This study examines the link between food deserts and cardiovascular health in older adults in Santiago's Metropolitan Region, Chile. As the population ages and chronic diseases rise, understanding the impact of food accessibility on health is essential. Using multiscale geographically weighted regression, we analyzed data from the Cardiovascular Health Program, socioeconomic indicators, and food desert maps, sourced from the Chilean Ministry of Health and other databases. Spatial analysis, including Voronoi diagrams, assessed the influence of food deserts on health outcomes. Findings show a significant correlation between limited access to healthy foods and higher cardiovascular disease rates, especially in economically disadvantaged areas. The regression model is significant to contribute to the explanation of disease prevalence, emphasizing the impact of food availability on health. This study highlights the importance of considering spatial factors in urban planning and public health policies. By showcasing the role of food environments in health disparities, it advocates for integrated health interventions. Targeted urban planning to address food deserts can enhance access to healthy foods, improving cardiovascular health and well-being among Santiago's elderly. The findings provide insights for policymakers to create healthier urban environments and stress the need for sustainable food systems to support public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies have suggested that food insecurity rates increased during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study sought to assess the strategies employed by food relief organizations to combat this issue amidst the challenges of 2020. Specifically, the research focused on six local food organizations in the Athens, Clarke County area in Georgia. Organizations were contacted via email, and subsequent key informant interviews were conducted via Zoom with the organization's leaders to understand their responses to food insecurity relief during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. The findings were synthesized using a narrative qualitative approach to identify overarching themes in the organizations' strategies amid the pandemic. Overall, this study revealed a prevalent lack of emergency preparedness among the organizations, exacerbating the issue of food insecurity in the Athens-Clarke County, Georgia area. These results underscore the need for public policy interventions addressing the underlying causes of food insecurity, including the elimination of food deserts, enhancement of food procurement accessibility, improvement of food affordability, and mitigation of associated disparities by race, income, and gender. By understanding the experiences of these organizations amidst the pandemic and the pre-existing factors that contribute to food insecurity, stakeholders, including other organizations, community leaders, and locals may be able to better prepare for future crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the socio-spatial distribution of food deserts in Santiago de Chile, aiming to understand how urban planning and socioeconomic factors influence access to nutritious food. Employing geospatial analysis techniques with data from OpenStreetMap and the 2017 Census, the research identifies areas within Santiago where access to healthy food is limited. The novelty of this study lies in its application of spatial autocorrelation methods, specifically Local Indicators of Spatial Association (LISA), to reveal clusters of nutritional inequality. The findings indicate significant concentrations of food deserts in both lower socioeconomic peripheral areas and, surprisingly, in some high-income central areas. These results suggest that both poverty and urban infrastructure, including car dependency, play critical roles in shaping access to healthy food. By highlighting over two million residents affected by food deserts, the study underscores the urgent need for integrated urban planning and public health strategies. This research contributes to the understanding of urban nutritional inequality and provides a replicable methodological framework for other cities. The implications extend beyond Santiago, offering insights into how urban design can be leveraged to improve public health outcomes through better access to nutritious food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the environmental consequences of beaver removal during the Pacific Northwest fur trade. It discusses how beavers, as landscape engineers, altered the hydrology of their habitat by creating wetlands. The depletion of beavers due to trapping resulted in the loss of wetlands, which affected the fire regime in the region. The article also examines the evolutionary history of beavers and their role in transforming ecosystems through the creation of wet meadows. It concludes by discussing the economic value of beaver pelts and the international competition for fur resources in North America. The text emphasizes the historical impact of fur trapping on beaver populations and ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest, highlighting the role of the Hudson's Bay Company in depleting beaver populations. The removal of beavers led to ecological consequences such as changes in ecosystems, increased flammable biomass, and altered fire regimes. The text also underscores the importance of beavers in mitigating drought and maintaining the health of riparian areas. It concludes by mentioning current beaver restoration projects aimed at mitigating climate change and wildfires by restoring streams and wetlands. [Extracted from the article]

Food desert (FD) residence has emerged as a risk factor for poor outcomes in breast, colon and esophageal cancers. The purpose of this retrospective study was to examine FD residence as an associated risk factor in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with anatomic lung resection (ALR). All consecutive ALRs for stage I-III NSCLC from January 2015 to December 2017 at a single institution were reviewed. The primary exposure of interest was FD residence as defined by the United States Department of Agriculture. The primary outcome was 5-y overall mortality. Secondary outcomes were 30-d complications and 1- and 3-y mortality. Cox proportional hazard analysis was used to model factors associated with each outcome, adjusted for covariates. A total of 348 ALRs were included, with 101 (29%) patients residing in an FD. In the unadjusted Cox model, those residing in FD had an associated lower 5-year mortality risk compared to those not residing in an FD (hazard ratio = 0.56, 95% confidence interval (0.33-0.97); P = 0.04). That association was not statistically significant once adjusted for covariates (hazard ratio = 0.59, 95% confidence interval (0.34-1.04); P = 0.07). In this study, FD residence was not associated with an increase in the risk of 5-y mortality. Selection bias of patients deemed healthy enough to undergo surgery may have mitigated the negative association of FD residence demonstrated in other cancers. Future work will evaluate all NSCLC patients undergoing treatments at our institution to further evaluate FDs as a risk factor for worse outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Socioeconomic disparities play an important role in disease epidemiology and outcomes in pregnancy. Objective: The objective was to evaluate whether pregnant women with COVID-19 living in a food desert, are at increased risk of more severe disease reflected by symptoms at presentation and need for hospitalization. Methods: In this retrospective observational study, the electronic medical records of all pregnant patients with documented SARS-CoV-2 infection were reviewed. Food deserts were defined by the USDA and the patient's residence was mapped on the Food Access Research Atlas to determine whether each patient lived within a food desert. Comparisons between those with documented symptomatic COVID-19 required hospitalization to those with documented COVID-19 without need for hospitalization were made using univariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results: The cohort consisted of 129 pregnant patients with COVID-19, with 59.7% (n = 77) asymptomatic and 33.3% (n = 43) requiring admission due to disease severity. The majority were Hispanic (70.5%), and obese (median BMI 31.91 kg/m2), with 33.3% living in a food desert. Patients with disease severity necessitating admission were significantly more likely to reside in a food desert (46.5% vs. 27.9%, P 0.037, OR 2.246, 95% CI 1.048–4.814). No other significant differences were identified on univariate. Multivariable binary logistic regression modeling confirmed food desert residence to be the only independent predictor of more severe COVID-19. Conclusion for Practice: There is a strong association between living in a food desert and the development of symptomatic COVID-19 requiring hospitalization in pregnancy. Significance: What is already known on this subject?: Food deserts reflect socioeconomic disparities that affect the health of pregnant women. Those that reside in a food desert have an overall increase in pregnancy morbidity. In addition, current understanding has demonstrated that pregnant women are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 infection. What this study adds?: In pregnancy, COVID-19 disproportionally affects those who reside in a food desert locale with more severe infection, reflecting the existence of health disparities in an urban community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Levels of food insecurity (FI) and the need for food support have increased dramatically since the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis. These crises also enabled substantial innovation in food support provision, including a move away from more traditional food bank models toward social supermarkets (SSM). These are characterized as not-for-profit social enterprises that sell mostly food, at low or symbolic prices to those living near or in poverty. In this article we provide a timely empirical account of SSMs and the experiences and perspectives of their members, focusing on three key themes: access, dignity, and choice. We use a mixed-methods approach based on questionnaires (n = 111) and interviews (n = 25) with SSMs members, engaging with local priorities and perspectives in the active co-creation of the research. Our findings demonstrate that SSM's provision is more inclusive and mindful of the diversity and agency of their members, doing away with pre-conceived ideas of food support recipients as passive citizens. While not a panacea, we argue that SSMs offer an alternative model for providing food support and one that could be replicated broadly or used side-by-side with food banks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatial mapping of food demand is essential for understanding and addressing disparities in food accessibility, which significantly impact public health and nutrition. This research presents an innovative geospatial framework designed to map food demand, integrating individual dietary behaviors with advanced spatial analysis techniques. This study analyzes the spatial distribution of eating habits across Lithuania using a geospatial approach. The methodology involves dividing Lithuania into 60,000 points and interpolating survey data with Shepard's operator, which relies on a weighted average of values at data points. This flexible approach allows for adjusting the number of points based on spatial resolution and sample size, enhancing the reliability and applicability of the generated maps. The procedure includes generating a structured grid system, incorporating measurements into the grid, and applying Shepard's operator for interpolation, resulting in precise representations of food demand. This framework provides a comprehensive understanding of dietary behaviors, informing targeted policy interventions to improve food accessibility and nutrition. Traditional food spatial mapping approaches are often limited to specific polygons and lack the flexibility to achieve high granular detail. By applying advanced interpolation techniques and ensuring respondent location data without breaching privacy concerns, this study creates high-resolution maps that accurately represent regional differences in eating habits. The methodology's flexibility allows for adjustments in spatial resolution and sample size, enhancing the maps' validity and applicability. This novel approach facilitates the creation of detailed food demand maps at any granular level, providing valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders. These insights enable the development of targeted strategies to improve food accessibility and nutrition. Additionally, the obtained information can be used for computer simulations to further analyze and predict food demand scenarios. By leveraging spatial data integration, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics of food demand, identifying critical areas such as food deserts and swamps, and paving the way for more effective public health interventions and policies aimed at achieving equitable food distribution and better nutritional outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Desert locusts (Schistocerca gregaria) pose a significant threat to food security. However, they also serve as a nutrient‐rich delicacy in many African and Arabic communities where they are traditionally harvested for food and feed. Traditional harvesting methods are inefficient, laborious, and time‐consuming; hence, there is a need to explore more convenient and efficient techniques. This study assessed preferential selection and feeding behavior of desert locusts to identify trap plants that could attract and aggregate them for easy harvesting. Four trap plants (cowpea, finger millet, sorghum, and amaranth) and four repellent plants (neem, pencil cactus, garlic, and cayenne red pepper) were evaluated through multiple‐choice experiments. A randomized complete block design involving mature adult, immature adult, and hopper stages of desert locusts was used. Analysis of variance was used to determine the effects of repellent and trap plants on feeding preferences of desert locusts. Mean differences between treatments at p < 0.05 were separated using post hoc Tukey's honestly significant difference. Cowpea as the most preferred trap plant attracted 62.7%, 70.7%, and 76.9% of mature adult, immature adult, and hopper locust stages, respectively. Neem exhibited the most potent repellent effect and attracted no desert locusts for feeding. Neem repelled locusts, thereby reducing infestation and damage of cowpea as a pull plant when both plants were grown in the same pot in a "push–pull" system. The push–pull attracted 3.7%, 24.3%, and 7.8% of mature adult, immature adult, and hopper locust stages, respectively. However, cowpea attracted large numbers of locusts (96.3% mature adults, 75.7% immature adults, and 92.2% hoppers) when grown separately from neem. These findings provide valuable insights on the potential of exploiting traps and repellents to enhance aggregation and harvesting of desert locusts as food and feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the face of a changing climate and a rising number of "food deserts" in both rural and urban areas, there is a demand to supply fresh produce year-round to communities at the end of the traditional agriculture supply chain. Vertical indoor farming is a promising mode of next-generation agriculture that boasts reduced water and pesticide usage, improved yields, more consistent quality, year-round cultivation, and cheaper transportation and harvesting costs. Indoor farms can rival industrial greenhouses in size, but small-scale "pod farms" can be deployed to smaller communities and areas where large swaths of land are either unavailable or too costly. These pods are often the size of shipping containers with their temperature, humidity, and plant nutrient supply carefully controlled. Plants inside the pods are grown hydroponically with light supplied by panels of LEDs and, thus, this mode of farming is fundamentally different from greenhouse farming. Many indoor farming pods have recently become commercially available claiming high energy efficiency, but little analysis and optimization work has been done to prove these claims. To drive innovation in the design of these physical systems, we have developed a digital-twin and genomic optimization framework for the optical design of vertical indoor farming pods. We model a completely enclosed indoor farming pod with plants in the three mutually-orthogonal planes and illuminated by LED "walls." We employ ray-tracing methods and a genetic algorithm to determine the LED source tube area size, beam aperture spread, and power requirements for maximal power absorption by the plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Access after disasters to resources such as food poses planning problems that affect millions of people each year. Understanding how disasters disrupt and alter food access during the initial steps of the recovery process provides new evidence to inform both food system and disaster planning. Our research took a supply-side focus and explored the results from a survey of food retailers after Hurricane Harvey in three Texas counties. The survey collected information on how the disaster affected a store's property, people, and products and the length of time a store was closed, had reduced hours, and stopped selling fresh food items. We found that a focus only on store closures and property damage would underestimate the number of days residents had limited fresh food access by nearly 2 weeks. Further, stores in lower-income communities with chronically low access to supermarkets (food deserts) were closed longer than other stores, potentially compounding pre-existing inequalities. To plan for a more equitable food supply after a disaster, planners should embrace more dimensions of access, encourage retailer mitigation, and assess the types of retailers and their distribution within their communities. Practicing planners aspire to ensure equitable access to resources (e.g., food, education, and health care). In the context of food access, planners should consider that a) common proximity-based measures of accessibility (e.g., food deserts) may underestimate inequality and that the inclusion of multiple dimensions of access may provide a more accurate picture, b) efforts to encourage business resilience can complement food systems planning, and c) targeted engagement with local food retailers, food suppliers, and food aid agencies is important for both day-to-day community needs and for disaster planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the connection between the architecture of the southern Arabian Peninsula and North Africa, specifically the Moroccan High Atlas and the Yemeni province of Hadramut. It discusses the similarities in construction techniques and urban layouts between these regions, which were transferred through land and sea routes. The article also highlights the importance of the desert as a crossroad for trade, culture, and knowledge, and emphasizes the need to rehabilitate and reconstruct desert landscapes and settlements that have been marginalized or abandoned. It discusses the history and architecture of desert regions, focusing on the Sahara, the Maghreb, and Yemen, and emphasizes the ecological value and sustainability of earth architecture. The article challenges the perception of the desert as empty and devoid of life, culture, or habitat, and discusses the importance of preserving and rehabilitating desert landscapes, towns, and cities. It also touches on the historical background and consequences of an ideological narrative of these areas, mentioning the trade routes, alliances, poetry, kingdoms, and migration that have shaped the desert routes. Overall, the article presents a nuanced perspective on the desert as a crossroads of peoples, trade, and cultures, emphasizing the need to preserve and appreciate its heritage. [Extracted from the article]

Nutrition is a vital factor that exerts a profound and direct impact on health. Food environments significantly influence individuals' dietary behaviors, health outcomes, and overall food security. Individuals in food deserts and food swamps do not have access to healthier food options. And in both cases, the emphasis is primarily on the physical configuration of the environment as it relates to food availability. This quasi-experimental study aims to investigate the impact of two different food environments (defined to include a social component) on food choices. A total of 246 participants were surveyed by telephone, half of whom were primed with Scenario A (a food environment deficient in healthy options and cues that support and reinforce healthier choices) and half were primed with Scenario B (an environment with an abundance of healthy food options and cues that support and reinforce healthy eating). Ordered logit regression was used for analysis. The results show significant differences in likely food consumption between the groups. Individuals in Scenario B were found to be 4.48 times more likely to consume fruits and vegetables. In addition, it was determined that being a woman increases the probability of consuming more fruits and vegetables by 0.92 times (1/0.52–1), and adherence to a healthy diet increases by 3.64 times. Age and race were not significant predictors. This study highlights the crucial role of environmental factors in shaping dietary habits and underscores the importance of the social components of the food environment in promoting the adoption of healthier dietary habits. Based on these findings, policymakers should prioritize developing strategies that go beyond providing physical access and consider social aspects of the environment in promoting healthy eating habits to improve public health and bolster the food security of communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poverty is a known risk factor for burn injury and is associated with residency in food deserts and food swamps. Our aim was to determine the prevalence of residency in food deserts and food swamps and to investigate the relationship between food environment, comorbidities, and wound healing in patients with burns. We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients with burns aged ≥ 18 seen in the emergency department or admitted to the burn service at an American Burn Association-verified urban academic center between January 2016 and January 2022. Patient GeoIDs were used to classify residency in food deserts and food swamps, and comorbidities and demographics were recorded. A subset of patients with <20% total body surface area burns who underwent single-operation split-thickness skin grafting was identified for wound healing analysis. A total of 3063 patients were included, with 206 in the heal time analysis. In total, 2490 (81.3%) lived in food swamps and 96 (3.1%) lived in food deserts. Diabetes, hypertension, and tobacco smoking were more prevalent in food swamps than in food deserts or good access areas. While there was no significant effect of the food environment on wound healing, diabetes was associated with longer healing times. Most patients with burns reside in food swamps, which are associated with a higher prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and smoking. The food environment was not significantly associated with wound healing. Not having diabetes was associated with a shorter time for wound healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: A poor diet can result from adverse social determinants of health and increases the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess, using data from the Nulliparous Pregnancy Outcomes Study: Monitoring Mothers-to-Be prospective cohort, whether nulliparous pregnant individuals who lived in a food desert were more likely to experience poorer periconceptional diet quality compared with those who did not live in a food desert. METHODS: The exposure was living in a food desert based on a spatial overview of food access indicators by income and supermarket access per the Food Access Research Atlas. The outcome was periconceptional diet quality per the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2010, analyzed by quartile (Q) from the highest or best (Q4, reference) to the lowest or worst dietary quality (Q1); and secondarily, nonadherence (yes or no) to 12 key aspects of dietary quality. RESULTS: Among 7,956 assessed individuals, 24.9% lived in a food desert. The mean HEI-2010 score was 61.1 of 100 (SD: 12.5). Poorer periconceptional dietary quality was more common among those who lived in a food desert compared with those who did not live in a food desert (Q4: 19.8%, Q3: 23.6%, Q2: 26.5%, and Q1: 30.0% vs. Q4: 26.8%, Q3: 25.8%, Q2: 24.5%, and Q1: 22.9%; overall P < 0.001). Individuals living in a food desert were more likely to report a diet in lower quartiles of the HEI-2010 (i.e., poorer dietary quality) (aOR: 1.34 per quartile; 95% CI: 1.21, 1.49). They were more likely to be nonadherent to recommended standards for 5 adequacy components of the HEI-2010, including fruit, total vegetables, greens and beans, seafood and plant proteins, and fatty acids, and less likely to report excess intake of empty calories. CONCLUSIONS: Nulliparous pregnant individuals living in a food desert were more likely to experience poorer periconceptional diet quality compared with those who did not live in a food desert.

This study investigated the early impact of a community-based food intervention, the Good Food Junction (GFJ), a full-service grocery store (September 2012 – January 2016) in a former food desert in Saskatoon, Canada. The hypothesis tested was that frequent shopping at the GFJ improved food security and selected health-related outcomes among shoppers, and the impact was moderated by socioeconomic factors. Longitudinal data were collected from 156 GFJ shoppers, on three occasions: 12-, 18-, and 24-months post-opening. Participants were grouped into three categories based on the frequency of shopping at the GFJ: low, moderate, and high. A generalized estimating equations approach was used for model building; moderating effects were tested. Participants were predominantly female, Indigenous, low-income, and had high school or some post-secondary education. The GFJ use was associated with household food security (OR for high and moderate frequency shoppers reporting less than a high school education were 1.81 and 1.06, respectively), and mental health (OR for high and moderate frequency shoppers reporting high income were 2.82 and 0.87, respectively) exhibiting a dose-response relationship, and indicated that these outcomes were significantly moderated by participants' socioeconomic factors. Shopping at the GFJ had a positive effect on food security and mental health, but to varying levels for those with low incomes, with less than high school or high school or better levels of education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper attempts to investigate the capacity of agroecological cooperative supermarkets in Spain to promote scaling of food products by means of a double perspective. We first employ a vertical scaling approach to analyze the issues affecting the governance and collective organization of the Cooperative Supermarket Network (CSN), set up in May 2022 and comprising eleven Spanish supermarkets. Secondly, we employ a perspective of horizontal scaling to investigate the potential for increased numbers of members, as well as the geographic and sociodemographic variables at play which limit the abovementioned scaling: to this end we use the case study of the cooperative supermarket La Osa, opened in Madrid in December 2020. We adopt a methodology based on participatory action research throughout the years 2022 and 2023, in which the research team was involved in the real processes of creation and development of the CSN or of La Osa. The study confirms the hypothesis that agroecological cooperative supermarkets constitute a formula for efficient retail distribution for scaling sustainable food in Spain. As opposed to the first-generation options for responsible consumption, these supermarkets appear to contribute to generating significant economies of scale and scope. In terms of vertical scaling, joint provision of services, as well as the gaining of political influence in society, constitute the main advantages in relation to the functioning of the CSN. While the recruitment of new members has heretofore been considered a priority in horizontal scaling, particular emphasis should also be placed on loyalty strategies targeting existing members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recognizing that limited literature exists regarding food programs in northern Indigenous communities within Canada, this study draws on a range of sources to map and characterize existing food programs in these contexts. A secondary aim assessed the extent to which traditional food was offered through the identified programs, which has implications for cultural appropriateness and, in turn, food sovereignty. Peer‐reviewed articles and grey literature published between 2000 and 2022 were examined. Frameworks to guide methodologies include PRISMA‐ScR, Arksey and O'Malley, Levac et al., and Godin et al.'s grey literature search strategy. Inclusion criteria were food programs located north of the Northern Boundary Line, programs providing food access, and programs serving Indigenous communities. Data were synthesized based on program type, target population, and whether the program offered or incorporated traditional food. The review yielded 30 records wherein 46 unique food programs were identified and characterized into eight distinct program types. Program success of the identified programs depended on funding availability and continuity, staff/volunteer availability and retention (including program champions), and types of policies that impact traditional food provision. Findings are valuable to organizations and communities interested in using food programs to support Indigenous food security and sovereignty efforts. Key messages: The results identified eight distinct types of food programs: 1) community‐wide; 2) gardens/greenhouses; 3) school‐based; 4) harvesting/sharing; 5) community freezers; 6) daycare‐based; 7) maternal/family nutrition; and 8) hospital.The ability of programs that serve diverse populations across large regions to respond to community and Indigenous‐specific needs is questionable; therefore, community‐based programming should be prioritized.Current challenges that limit the ability of food programs to meet community needs include tedious grant applications, limited resources, and navigating multi‐level government policies for serving traditional food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the current state of the media industry in the United States, highlighting the decline of legacy news organizations, the closure of local news companies, and the rise of "news deserts" where people lack access to fact-based local news. It also explores the increase in labor activity among journalists and the role of media unions in improving working conditions. The article draws parallels between the current labor movement and the development of the American Newspaper Guild in the 1930s. It further examines the impact of union membership on income inequality and suggests that media unions could help address the challenges facing the news industry. [Extracted from the article]

This study described the occurrence of food deserts and its relationship with the socioeconomic characteristics of the area. This is an ecological study based on secondary data from the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil. Food deserts were defined based on the density of establishments that sell healthy foods. The socioeconomic variables analyzed were the Health Vulnerability Index (HVI), percentage of illiterate people, percentage of people with per capita income of up to half a minimum wage, and percentage of households made up of people who identify as Black, Brown or Indigenous. Statistical and spatial analyses were conducted using census tracts as units of analysis. Almost half of the census tracts were classified as food deserts (n = 1150/48.3%), with higher concentration in the peripheral areas of the city. Tracts with a high risk of health vulnerability (very high HVI), those with the highest percentage of black and indigenous peoples (Quartile 4), the highest percentage of illiterate people (Quartile 4), and the highest percentage of people living on less than 1 / 5 minimum wage (Quartile 4), were about twice as likely to be classified as a food desert. For all variables, a dose-response relationship was observed. The results show that in the city of Porto Alegre food deserts were associated with worse environmental and social conditions, and a greater presence of ethnic-racial minority groups. Social and ethnic-racial inequities might shape the city environment, making access to healthy foods more difficult for the most vulnerable populations, with possible repercussions on food consumption, food security and other health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the politics of consumption and Indigenous veganism in Eden Robinson's The Trickster Trilogy. It argues that discussions on decolonization should include the consumption of nonhuman animals and explores the impact of colonialism on land and food relations in the Pacific Northwest. The article discusses different perspectives within Indigenous communities regarding the consumption of nonhuman animals, with some advocating for traditional hunting and fishing practices and others promoting Indigenous veganism as a form of decolonial resistance. It also emphasizes the importance of local food consumption in decolonization efforts and highlights the interconnectedness of violence against women and nonhuman animals. The article further explores the colonial politics of consumption, including the subjugation of Indigenous peoples and nonhuman animals, the role of animal agriculture in colonization, and the environmental and social injustices associated with the food system. It delves into the concept of food decolonization and the revitalization of traditional food practices, as well as Indigenous perspectives on the consumption of other-than-human animals. The article concludes by examining the interconnected nature of violence against women and nonhuman animals and the role of consumption habits in decolonial narratives. The Trickster Trilogy by Eden Robinson explores the themes of consumption and food decolonization through the perspectives of Indigenous characters. The novels feature Indigenous vegan characters, challenging the notion that veganism is incompatible with Indigeneity. The characters' consumption choices reflect their decolonial ideologies and their desire to live in harmony with nonhuman animals. The novels also shed light [Extracted from the article]

The Local Media for Democracy (LM4D) project is the first project that explores news deserts in Europe comprehensively. Its final report highlighted challenges and opportunities for local and community media and identified the level of risk of news deserts in the 27 European Union (EU) Member States. As a pilot project, however, its results are still preliminary and open to evaluation, and, thus, they require further discussion and corroboration. Drawing from these results, and applying a multidisciplinary approach, we extrapolated research directions for the study of news deserts in the EU. By cross-analyzing data from the LM4D dataset with other datasets, we provide a preliminary analysis of three promising lines of research: (1) the relationship between public service media quality and news deserts, (2) news deserts and the spread of disinformation, and (3) social media usage and news desertification. We conclude by pointing out the limitations of this preliminary analysis and opportunities for further research on news deserts in the EU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Independently owned restaurants (IORs) are prevalent in under-resourced racial and ethnic minority communities in the US and present a unique setting for public health nutrition interventions. (2) Methods: We conducted 14 in-depth interviews with IOR owners in Baltimore about their perceptions of healthy food, and customers' acceptance of healthier menus and cooking methods and concurrent observations of the availability of healthy options on their menus. Qualitative data were coded and analyzed using ATLAS.ti. Observations were analyzed with statistical analysis performed in R. (3) Results: Owners perceived non-fried options, lean proteins, and plant-based meals as healthy. While open to using healthier cooking fats, they had mixed feelings about reducing salt, adopting non-frying methods for cooking, and adding vegetables and whole grains to the menu, and were reluctant to reduce sugar in recipes and beverages. Only 17.5% of 1019 foods and 27.6% of 174 beverages in these IORs were healthy, with no significant differences in the healthfulness of restaurant offerings within low-healthy-food-access/low-income neighborhoods and those outside. (4) Conclusion: Healthy options are generally scarce in Baltimore's IORs. Insights from owners inform future interventions to tailor healthy menu offerings that are well-received by customers and feasible for implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Screening for food insecurity by CF care programs and local food access are independent predictors of nutritional status among children and adults with CF in the United States. • More frequent food insecurity screening is associated with less underweight in children with CF, and screening in writing (vs verbally) is associated with higher BMI in adults with CF. • Residence in a food desert is associated with higher odds of underweight in both children and adults with CF, as well as with lower BMI percentile in children with CF. • Standardized, evidence-based food insecurity screening across CF care programs and equitable food access are needed to optimize the nutritional outcomes of people with CF. As the nutritional status of people with CF (PwCF) is associated with their socioeconomic status, it is important to understand factors related to food security and food access that play a role in the nutritional outcomes of this population. We assessed the contributions of CF program-level food insecurity screening practices and area-level food access for nutritional outcomes among PwCF. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 2019 data from the U.S. CF Patient Registry (CFFPR), linked to survey data on CF program-level food insecurity screening and 2019 patient zip code-level food access. Pediatric and adult populations were analyzed separately. Nutritional outcomes were assessed with annualized BMI percentiles (CDC charts) for children and BMI (kg/m2) for adults, with underweight status defined as BMIp <10% for children and BMI <18.5 kg/m2 for adults, and overweight or obese status defined as BMIp >85% for children and BMI >25 kg/m2 for adults. Analyses were adjusted for patient sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. The study population included 11,971 pediatric and 14,817 adult PwCF. A total of 137 CF programs responded to the survey, representing 71% of the pediatric sample and 45% of the CFFPR adult sample. The joint models of nutritional status as a function of both program-level food insecurity screening and area-level food access produced the following findings. Among children with CF, screening at every visit vs less frequently was associated with 39% lower odds of being underweight (OR 0.61, p = 0.019), and the effect remained the same and statistically significant after adjusting for all covariates (aOR 0.61, p = 0.047). Residence in a food desert was associated both with higher odds of being underweight (OR 1.66, p = 0.036; aOR 1.58, p = 0.008) and with lower BMIp (-4.81%, p = 0.004; adjusted -3.73%, p = 0.014). Among adults with CF, screening in writing vs verbally was associated with higher odds of being overweight (OR 1.22, p = 0.028; aOR 1.36, p = 0.002) and higher BMI (adjusted 0.43 kg/m2, p = 0.032). Residence in a food desert was associated with higher odds of being underweight (OR 1.48, p = 0.025). Food insecurity screening and local food access are independent predictors of nutritional status among PwCF. More frequent screening is associated with less underweight among children with CF, whereas screening in writing (vs verbally) is associated with higher BMI among adults. Limited food access is associated with higher odds of being underweight in both children and adults with CF, and additionally with lower BMI among children with CF. Study results highlight the need for standardized, evidence-based food insecurity screening across CF care programs and for equitable food access to optimize the nutritional outcomes of PwCF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study identified food deserts and swamps, investigating their associations with socioeconomic and demographic conditions. This ecological study was conducted using data from urban census tracts in the city of Recife, which were considered the unit of analysis. Information on food retail was obtained from government sources in 2019. Census tracts below the 25th percentile in the density of healthy food retail (i.e., those that predominantly sell natural or minimally processed foods, mixed businesses, and super- and hypermarkets) were classified as food deserts. Census tracts above the 25th percentile in the density of unhealthy food retail (i.e., those selling primarily ultra-processed foods) were considered food swamps. The socioeconomic and demographic conditions of the census tracts were evaluated using variables from the 2010 census (per capita income, average income, race, literacy of the head of household, and the availability of essential services) and the Health Vulnerability Index. Census tracts considered food deserts (28.5%) were more vulnerable, characterized by lower income and access to essential services, more illiterate residents and more minorities (Black/Indigenous/mixed race). Food swamps (73.47%) were more prevalent in less vulnerable neighbourhoods characterized by higher percentages of literate residents and Whites, greater purchasing power, and better basic sanitation. The characteristics of Recife's food deserts and swamps demonstrate social inequalities in the food environment. Public facilities could play a vital role in promoting healthy eating within food deserts. Additionally, future implementation of taxes on ultra-processed foods and the provision of tax subsidies to natural or minimally processed food sellers might contribute to fostering healthier dietary choices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of childhood overweight and obesity among 10-year-old schoolchildren in Hoavang, Danang City. Methods: From January to May 2023, a cross-sectional study was carried out utilizing a structured self-administered questionnaire to collect data. The height and weight measurements of 518 children were recorded. Bodymass index for age Z scores (BAZs) were employed to classify children's nutritional status following theWorld Health Organization criteria. Subsequently, the data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Results: The study encompassed a cohort of 518 students, 110 (21.2%) classified as overweight and 64 (12.4%) as obese. Significantly, the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) demonstrated that male subjects exhibited a 3-fold higher risk of overweight and obesity than female subjects (aOR = 2.9, P < .0001). Skipping breakfast and confectionery/sweet food consumption were defined, demonstrating significant associations with elevated odds of being overweight and obese. Conclusion: The findings revealed that approximately onethird of primary schoolchildren in Hoavang, Danang City, were affected by overweight and obesity. This alarming prevalence underscores the urgent need for interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To prevent obesity and diabetes environmental interventions such as eliminating food deserts, restricting proliferation of food swamps, and improving park access are essential. In the United States, however, studies that examine the food and park access relationship with obesity and diabetes using both global and local regression are lacking. To guide county, state, and federal policy in combating obesity and diabetes, there is a need for cross-scale analyses to identify that relationship at national and local levels. This study applied spatial regression and geographically weighted regression to the 3,108 counties in the contiguous United States. Global regression show food deserts exposure and density of fast-food restaurants have non-significant association with obesity and diabetes while park access has a significant inverse association with both diseases. Geographically weighted regression that takes into account spatial heterogeneity shows that, among southern states that show high prevalence of obesity and diabetes, Alabama and Mississippi stand out as having opportunity to improve park access. Results suggest food deserts exposure are positively associated with obesity and diabetes in counties close to Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee while density of fast-food restaurants show positive association with two diseases in counties of western New York and northwestern Pennsylvania. These findings will help policymakers and public health agencies in determining which geographic areas need to be prioritized when implementing public interventions such as promoting healthy food access, limiting unhealthy food options, and increasing park access. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1926, during an economic crisis that severely impacted the mining industry, Guggenheim Brothers, the Guggenheim family business, implemented a new technological system to extract saltpeter from the Atacama Desert in northern Chile. Known as the Guggenheim system, this cutting-edge technological innovation had a significant impact on regional society and facilitated the introduction of Chilean saltpeter into the global fertilizer market. For this system to succeed, however, it had to incorporate a sociopolitical strategy based on a highly hierarchical and well-controlled labor force. Through their political and cultural influence in the region, the Guggenheim family's industry transformed a remote area into a state periphery, creating new ways of inhabiting the desert within a strict framework in which workers' lives were regulated by company-imposed labor discipline. With more political power than the state, the Guggenheim family sought to suppress any social agency deemed dangerous to the production of saltpeter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the intersection of food and political ideas within Italy's pre-Fascist colonial empire, particularly during its expansion into Tripolitania and Cyrenaica (modern-day Libya) from 1911 to 1913. It investigates how Italian journalists used rhetoric centered on the concept of food abundance to construct utopian visions of imperialism, portraying Libya as a promised land of agricultural plenty.

Most food access studies focus on large cities, examine traditional grocery stores, and only consider operational food outlets. This siloed approach exposes a gap in food access literature. Therefore, as a part of our assessment of Flint's food landscape, we examined closed food outlets in the city and surrounding townships. We investigated the relationship between the racial composition of census tracts and the number and type of defunct food outlets identified. We used Data Axle to collect and verify data on open and closed food outlets between September 2020 and December 2021. We made a final verification of the food outlet closures in June 2022. We used ArcGIS 10.8.1 and SPSS Version 28 to map and analyze the data. We used negative binomial regression models to determine differences in the likelihood of having an additional closed food outlet in census tracts with low and high percentages of Black residents. We also investigated the relationship between a census tract's median income and the likelihood of having an additional closed food outlet. There were 173 closed food outlets; 81 were in Flint, and 92 were in surrounding townships. The most frequently closed food outlets were restaurants; they accounted for 45.1% of the closures. The mean number of closed food venues in census tracts where less than 40% of the residents were Black was 1.5. The mean was similar in census tracts where 40% or more of the residents were Black; it was 1.6. This difference was not significant. However, the median income of a census tract was a significant predictor of the likelihood of having an additional closed food outlet. Every one-thousand-dollar increase in median income resulted in a 2% less likelihood of having an additional closed food outlet. The results of this study show that there is more to the food landscape of a city than its operational food outlets. Focusing exclusively on active food outlets does not accurately depict a city's food infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]