When healthy food is difficult to access, chronic disease often follows, making food insecurity one of the major contributors of poor health in rural communities. Our analysis found that 149 rural Texas census tracts, with a combined population of about 480,000, have high or very high food insecurity vulnerability
As background, the Parkland Center for Clinical Innovation recently conducted an analysis of Texas rural health using our innovative data tool known as the Community Vulnerability Compass, or CVC. The analysis found that over 80% of rural populations live in census tracts classified as having high or very high vulnerability to life-threatening chronic diseases, representing approximately 670,000 rural Texans living in communities with elevated vulnerability and limited care options
The CVC is a data platform that maps social, economic and health indicators at the neighborhood level. It rates vulnerability for food insecurity by measuring census tracts in the top two vulnerability quintiles, representing communities with the highest proportion of individuals receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits in the past 12 months and increased risk of food insecurity compared with other communities
Article continues below this ad
The analysis also found that rural Texas faces food insecurity, a critical barrier to daily health and wellness. Food insecurity is toxic and pernicious for families and contributes to obesity, which is an underlying element to most chronic illnesses. The CVC found that 480,000 residents live in census tracts vulnerable to food insecurity.
This is 36% of the entire rural Texas population. Considering that rural residents of Texas are highly vulnerable to chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease, cancer and high blood pressure, access to healthy food is critical to preventing and managing these conditions. According to the CDC, 58 Texas counties are considered food deserts, with rural areas, particularly in West Texas, the Panhandle, and the border region, facing limited access to fresh, affordable food. When residents are limited to convenience or dollar discount stores, we see this leading to higher food insecurity and obesity rates.
Obesity is one of the major risk factors for chronic illnesses and in Texas, the CVC found that 192 rural census tracts are high or very high for obesity. Food insecurity is often the first domino to fall that leads to the high levels of chronic illness vulnerability in rural Texas
One reason for this is simply the distance in many areas of Texas to basic healthcare. For example, the CVC’s analysis of a cluster of four counties in rural East Texas with nearly 150,000 residents found that there are only 182 inpatient hospital beds available to them within 100 miles. Concurrently, the same region has only 33 food markets, including discount stores, that serve the nutritional needs of this rural population
The cluster includes Trinity, Angelina, Houston and Leon counties. The city of Lufkin is roughly the center of this area, with a population of 35,000, and serves as the mainr many of the area’s residents
Article continues below this ad
Populations dealing with food insecurity face detrimental effects, including an increased likelihood of chronic illnesses such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease and stroke. It is also associated with mental and social distress
Children experiencing food insecurity may see an adverse effect on their mental and physical health, reducing their educational opportunities
Food insecurity isn’t just a statistic
People don’t choose food insecurity. They choose what they can afford, what they can access, and what fits within the realities of their daily lives. When healthy options are out of reach, the health consequences can follow for years
I’ve seen how social drivers of health can amplify health disparities. Solving this issue is more than just having grocery stores available in those areas, though that would definitely be a good start
Article continues below this ad
In many areas of rural Texas, residents face economic challenges. Families often must prioritize buying cheaper and less nutritious food options. There are also transportation barriers, particularly the distance to supermarkets. Educational disparities also play a role. Nearly 16% of rural residents did not finish high school
With this information, we have the potential to embark on a path to address food insecurity by empowering community health workers and developing community initiatives using data that can pinpoint vulnerable areas at the block level
Data-driven insights can help local government officials allocate re
Rural food insecurity in Texas may be less visible, but it is no less important. Bringing that reality into a clearer view is one step toward better-informed community health improvement efforts
Article continues below this ad
Olayide Olay Adejumobi is project manager for the Parkland Center for Clinical Innovation
Have thoughts about this?Send a letter to the editorusing our letters formor emailletters@dallasnews.com. Letters should be no more than 200 words and include the first and last name of the writer and city of residence.
