Title : From food deserts to stroke rates: How GIS can inform public health strategies in Urban communities
Abstract:
The "Stroke Belt" is an 11-state region in the southeastern United States known for its unusually high incidence of cardiovascular disease and strokes. Despite ongoing public health efforts, Memphis, a major city within this region, continues to struggle with a stroke rate 37% above the national U.S. average. Yet, the challenges faced by Memphis are not unique; many urban areas globally contend with similar health disparities driven by socioeconomic factors, where traditional public health strategies fall short of expectations. Effective public health programming requires precise geospatial targeting. This study demonstrates how Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can be harnessed as a powerful tool to quantify food deserts to better predict stroke rates and identify locations for public health programming. Using Memphis, TN, as a case study, we conducted kernel density analyses to map out supermarkets and grocery stores and quantify food access within the city. This quantified data was then integrated with key socioeconomic variables associated with stroke rates, including median household income, vehicle availability, and educational attainment levels, to develop comprehensive regression models. These models significantly improved our predictive accuracy of stroke rates, providing a more nuanced understanding of how environmental and socioeconomic factors contribute to health disparities. By incorporating quantified food access data into our models, we were able to predict stroke rates 11.7% more accurately in lower-income areas and 9.7% more accurately in higher-income areas. The methodology presented in this study is not confined to Memphis; it serves as a replicable model for other urban areas seeking to address similar public health challenges. By using GIS to quantify socioeconomic determinants of health, public health experts and policymakers can use a data-driven pathway to enhance the effectiveness of public health initiatives, improving our overall community health.
