Structural Inequality in Public Health: Understanding the Connection Between Food and Health

The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ASPA as an organization.

By Carvis Durr
August 5, 2024

What constitutes a healthy society? Does our ability to influence and inspire others, along with tangible factors positively, contribute to overall productivity? Would it be a society where mental health issues are minimized, and everyone has access to necessities? Most people would agree that it’s a combination of many factors. A healthy society goes beyond just reducing injuries and preventing disease-related deaths; it involves access to safe neighborhoods, affordable housing, diverse job opportunities, reduced income inequality, well-designed pedestrian-friendly communities and the fostering of community unity. A thriving society would prioritize providing food, shelter and comprehensive physical and mental healthcare.

Moreover, it would focus on training individuals to effectively meet shared needs rather than solely prioritizing self-interest or the interests of those in power. Failing to prioritize these factors opens us up to structural inequalities. Structural inequalities stem from power imbalances, where one group has historically set rules that intentionally or unintentionally exclude others from accessing wealth and resources. Addressing these inequalities and building a healthier society can only be achieved through collective action and community unity, where everyone is responsible for promoting health and equality.

Structural Inequality

In examining various frameworks for understanding inequality, scholars and researchers have identified several dimensions that commonly contribute to disparities. These dimensions encompass economic opportunity, education, family/household characteristics, geography and healthcare. Additionally, it is important to consider access to food and its impact on health as an additional contributing factor. A Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health recently issued a call to action to end hunger and reduce chronic disease prevalence in the United States by 2030. One emerging movement that has gained traction is the Food is Medicine movement, which aims to address food insecurity and chronic diseases. The concept of ‘Food is Medicine,’ which emphasizes consistent access to diet- and nutrition-related resources, is crucial for achieving this ambitious goal. This approach is increasingly prevalent in many communities and systems, with growing federal investment and action to support it in various settings. This momentum toward change should inspire hope and optimism for a healthier future. Access to nutritious food is indispensable for health and resilience, and the “Food is Medicine” concept reinforces this fundamental connection. Acknowledging that access to high-quality nourishment is essential for overall well-being, the “Food is Medicine” approach provides immediate and long-term support for individuals, communities and systems by facilitating access to nutritious food across various settings and the health continuum.

The Connection Between Food and Health

It is crucial to acknowledge that more than 40 million people live in food-insecure households, and over 12 million of these households include children. These statistics have significant implications, contributing to structural inequalities and underlying issues. Research suggests that food insecurity in childhood can have long-lasting effects on health and development. Children who experience food insecurity are more likely to face health problems, developmental delays and higher rates of hospitalization later in life. Additionally, households with children and those from minority communities experience food insecurity at higher rates than the national average. Food insecurity can be a long-term issue with underlying factors, including income, employment, race/ethnicity and disability. Food insecurity increases when there is limited or no money to buy food. Unemployment can also negatively impact a household’s food security status. High unemployment rates among low-income populations make meeting basic household food needs more challenging.

Moreover, children with unemployed parents have higher rates of food insecurity then children with employed parents. Neighborhood conditions play a critical role in shaping individuals’ access to food. Disparities exist in neighborhoods, such as urban, rural and low-income areas, leading to unequal access to full-service supermarkets or grocery stores. Notably, predominantly Black and Hispanic neighborhoods often experience a shortage of full-service supermarkets compared to mainly White and non-Hispanic neighborhoods. This inequality in food access can have far-reaching consequences. Adults grappling with food insecurity are at a heightened risk of experiencing a wide array of adverse health outcomes and health disparities. For instance, research has uncovered a link between food insecurity and an increased risk for obesity.

Furthermore, studies have shown that approximately 117 million people suffer from one or more chronic diseases associated with poor physical activity and eating patterns, many of which are categorized as cardiovascular diseases, encompassing conditions like high blood pressure and certain types of cancer. In terms of healthcare expenditure, the annual cost of addressing obesity alone totals almost $173 billion. So, what defines a healthy society? A thriving society would prioritize ensuring access to food, and considering food as medicine is a good start.

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Author: Meet Carvis C. Durr, a Ph.D. student and Graduate Teaching Associate at the University of Central Florida’s School of Sociology and Statistics. Carvis holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and two Master’s degrees in Business Administration and Leadership/Human Resource Development. Carvis is a member of the Scholar Strategy Network. Follow Carvis on Twitter @Iamcarvis or check out his professional profile on LinkedIn.

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