Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #122011

Joseph R. Sharkey, PhD, MPH, RD, School of Rural Public Health, Texas A&M University System Health Science Center, 1103 University Drive, Suite 203, College Station, TX 77840, (979) 458-4268, jrsharkey@srph.tamushsc.edu

The maintenance of good nutritional health is especially vital to low-income or minority older adults who reside in rural areas, and face greater vulnerability to food insecurity, poor nutritional health and increased burden of disease. We are especially concerned about the food environment, an aspect of the community environment that is a critical component of disease prevention and management but that is rarely measured. In particular, we are interested in the impact of three components of the food environment (i.e., the accessibility, availability, and affordability of healthy food) on health behaviors and health outcomes in rural areas.

The process of food choice is influenced by personal factors, resources, social contexts, and food context, and involves decisions made on convenience, cost, and quality. This presentation will discuss two ongoing projects that seek to understand the food environment in rural Texas – one in six rural counties of Central Texas and another in the colonias located in rural areas of Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Both projects are collaborations of the TxHAN with the Center for Community Health Development and community partners. Discussion will include strategies for the identification and classification of food stores and food service places for GIS mapping, and determination of availability and affordability of healthy foods. In addition, program and policy implications for food assistance programs that seek to address the challenges to making healthy food choices will be described.

Learning Objectives:

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Keywords: Economic Sanctions,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation