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[publichealthblogs]

The Obesity and Poverty Paradox

Obesity is one of our country’s biggest public health problems till date. Between 1986 and 2002, adults in the lowest income and education groups had consistently higher BMI (body mass index) than adults in the highest income and education groups. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the prevalence of obesity from 2017 to 2018 was 42.4%. What are we doing to control these numbers?

There are many possible reasons for this paradox. First of all, more sedentary people expend less energy and are more prone to obesity, chronic metabolic disease and cardiovascular problems. Individuals in these neighborhoods might be less able to afford a gym membership. They might also live in a community with fewer parks and athletic facilities, preventing them from being active. Food deserts are another leading factor of the obesity epidemic in the United States. Impoverished areas often lack access to fresh produce and good quality food outlet options. Their easily accessible options are often inexpensive but also high in salt, refined sugar and fat content.

Obesity related conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes and certain types of cancers are the leading cause of premature death in the country. The medical cost for people who are obese is $1427 higher than individuals who aren’t (CDC), a huge additional burdened on our already overwhelmed healthcare system. It is only through community efforts as a nation that we can lower these numbers. By creating healthy food environments at home and school along with early education, positive change can progressively be achieved.

[publichealthblogs]

Hungry and at Home: Coronavirus and Food Insecurity

Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, food insecurity has become an even bigger concern than it was before. The numbers went from 35 million to almost 50 million food insecure people at present. As a result of this pandemic, there are limited options for accessing food pantries. This has resulted in the organization formulating more creative ways to reach these communities including home deliveries and new partnerships. These partnerships strive towards helping individuals manage chronic conditions during these times like diabetes and high cholesterol.

An example of a proactive way food insecurity is being addressed is the development of a new grocery storefront during the times of this recent pandemic in an area experiencing shortages in healthy food options. The Forty Acres store transformed from a pop-up and is now opening in a neighborhood with the help of grants and entrepreneurship to establish a healthy food outlet option in the West Side of Chicago. This is just one more development in this neighborhood’s efforts to attract more African American business-owners to invest in Austin and help to develop this community. As a city, we must look at equity over equality, because each community has varying food insecurity rates and each community has its unique needs.

Nowadays, individuals want to learn more about their food and its origins and that the people involved in the food system are treated well versus something that is simply done for profit. He also discussed partnerships through stakeholders including those with farmers, field workers, grocery store and transportation workers and then the consumers. According to Ken Meter, director of Crossroads Resource Center, an organization working on food sovereignty plans and making different communities stronger including farm country, food security means “that low-end people can produce the food they need to survive”. As a result, many relief agencies, food banks and hubs have started working to buying food for food insecure people in their communities and the opening of more co-op grocery stores. This type of work is very long-term, but the efforts are important in sustaining community engagement. As a community, with the help of coalitions and partnerships, together we can work towards making healthier food more accessible and our city stronger during these trying times.

[publichealthblogs]

Homelessness: A Chicagoland Epidemic and Healing a Hurting Population

A fallout of the opioid epidemic, the rising cases of homelessness and addiction in Chicago call out -wave their signs- for our attention. The opioid epidemic that began in the 1990s resulted in a rapid increase in overdose deaths due to prescription opioids. Currently in the United States, drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death. Since prescription opioids are so expensive, many drug users end up turning to street drugs like heroin. After the use of heroin, 23% of people develop an opioid addiction. This epidemic has contributed in many ways towards fueling the homelessness in the Chicagoland area. And the rest of us, how often do we turn a blind eye to the struggles of the homeless to access healthcare and basic human necessities like clean drinking water and nutritious meals and shelter? Encampments heading north along the Chicago river have to deal with a lack of cleanliness, the presence of rats and hazardous sites full of used syringes. Homeless women especially are often subject to rape, assault and robbery. It is up to us, fellow Chicagoans, neighbors and parents and brothers and sisters ourselves, to help these communities rise up and give them a voice and support and to acknowledge and address their needs.

It is organizations like the Night Ministry that have taken active proactive steps to help these communities. This organization travels with outreach workers and social workers and medical staff to provide things like needle exchanges and condoms in order to prevent the presence of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis with them when individuals become more independent. The outreach workers in this organization help the needy populations to receive stimulus checks and insurance benefits and care they need. A large number of emergency room visits have been saved due to intervention efforts and in-patient care, like those facilitated by the Night Ministry. Volunteering and supporting organizations like these can help us reach out to these hurting individuals and help them put their lives back together and as a whole to become a city of big hearts, not just big shoulders.