Evaluating the Health Implications of Land Use Regulations on South Los Angeles's Food Resource Environment: The South LA Fast Food Health Impact Assessment

Community Health Councils (CHC), a South LA based health advocacy nonprofit, conducted a health impact assessment (HIA) to the analyze health implications of the South Los Angeles Fast Food General Plan Amendment. This amendment requires discretionary approval of any new stand-alone fast food restaurant that locates within a ½ mile of an existing restaurant. It's intended to reduce the proliferation of fast food in the community and preserve the limited land available for developing healthier alternatives.

The HIA utilized community-based participatory research to survey the accessibility of healthful options in every fast food restaurant located within 2 South LA zip codes. The study analyzed focus group and survey data from South LA parents, senior citizens, and health care advocates to assess community awareness of the regulation, gather feedback for policy recommendations, and acknowledge barriers to healthful eating. Researchers used GIS mapping and statistical analyses to assess impacts of the policy on the food resource environment. A unique vetting of the policy recommendations through the HIA process was conducted to ensure feasible implementation.

Findings revealed that despite community desires for healthier alternatives, most of South LA's fast food restaurants do little to make healthier choices accessible. Though no new fast food restaurants have been developed since the regulation, the amendment's limited scope does not adequately address the community's dearth of healthier alternatives. Consequently, CHC, City Planning, and the Public Health Department are working to enact a recommended expansion of the policy that would exempt restaurants that comply with American Dietary Standards.