Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

publishedVersion

Publication Date

10-2012

Abstract

Objectives. We explored new ways to identify food deserts. Methods. We estimated physical and economic access to supermarkets for 5 low-income groups in Seattle–King County, Washington. We used geographic information system data to measure physical access: service areas around each supermarket were delineated by ability to walk, bicycle, ride transit, or drive within 10 minutes. We assessed economic access by stratifying supermarkets into low, medium, and high cost. Combining income and access criteria generated multiple ways to estimate food deserts. Results. The 5 low-income group definitions yielded total vulnerable populations ranging from 4% to 33% of the county’s population. Almost all of the vulnerable populations lived within a 10-minute drive or bus ride of a low- or medium-cost supermarket. Yet at most 34% of the vulnerable populations could walk to any supermarket, and as few as 3% could walk to a low-cost supermarket. Conclusions. The criteria used to define low-income status and access to supermarkets greatly affect estimates of populations living in food deserts. Measures of access to food must include travel duration and mode and supermarket food costs.

Discipline

Geography

Research Areas

Integrative Research Areas

Publication

American Journal of Public Health

Volume

102

Issue

10

First Page

1

Last Page

8

ISSN

0090-0036

Identifier

10.2105/AJPH.2012.300675

Publisher

American Public Health Association

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.2105%2Fajph.2012.300675

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