Study Links Historical Redlining to Higher Rates of Heart Disease and Limited Access to Healthy Foods
TL;DR
Access to healthy food linked to reduced risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity in neighborhoods previously subjected to redlining, providing a potential health advantage.
Researchers examined data from 11,000+ U.S. Census tracts across 38 states to understand the impact of historical redlining on access to healthy foods and cardiovascular health.
Improving access to healthy food and boosting social and economic resources could mitigate the impact of outdated policies like redlining, making tomorrow's world healthier and more equitable.
Redlining, a practice that limited homeownership based on race, led to reduced access to healthy foods, contributing to increased rates of heart disease and other health risks.
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A preliminary study to be presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2024 has found a concerning link between historical redlining practices and current health disparities in affected neighborhoods. The research, led by Rebekah J. Walker, Ph.D., from the University at Buffalo, examined data from over 11,000 U.S. Census tracts across 38 states to understand the relationship between past discriminatory housing policies and present-day cardiovascular health outcomes.
The study's findings indicate that areas previously subjected to redlining—a now-illegal practice that limited homeownership based on race—show higher rates of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. These health issues are associated with reduced access to healthy foods in these communities. Specifically, the analysis found that in redlined neighborhoods, an average of 11.8% of people had Type 2 diabetes, 31.9% had high blood pressure, 6% had heart disease, and 31.8% had obesity.
This research underscores the enduring impact of structural racism on public health, even decades after such practices have been outlawed. The study suggests that the limited access to healthy foods in these areas serves as a pathway through which historical redlining continues to affect cardiovascular health outcomes. Dr. Walker emphasized the importance of identifying these social factors to help healthcare professionals and policymakers understand the long-term consequences of past discriminatory policies on current health disparities.
The implications of this study are significant for public health policy and urban planning. It highlights the need for targeted interventions to improve access to healthy foods in historically disadvantaged neighborhoods. The American Heart Association's Health Care by Food™ initiative, which explores incorporating healthy foods into medical treatment, could be particularly relevant in addressing these disparities.
While the study is limited by its observational design and community-level analysis, it provides valuable insights into the persistent effects of structural racism on health. As former American Heart Association volunteer president Clyde W. Yancy, M.D., noted, these findings call for new strategies and breakthrough science to address the ongoing impact of redlining and improve health outcomes in affected communities.
As the American Heart Association enters its second century, addressing these long-standing health inequities remains a crucial challenge. This research serves as a call to action for policymakers, healthcare providers, and community leaders to work towards creating more equitable access to healthy foods and improving cardiovascular health outcomes across all neighborhoods.
Curated from NewMediaWire
