After reading A Framework for Understanding Grocery Purchasing in a Low-Income Urban Environment write 2-3 paragraphs on the following questions. You do not have to cite the article from this class, citation is only needed if you access an outside source for information, for example, epidemiological information (this means in-text and reference citations but you don’t need a separate reference page). Partial credit for these questions will be given for simply providing the information, full credit will be given for providing an analysis, what/why/how do you think as you do? 1. Think about epigenetics and the role that the environment has on health. Describe risk factors that may result in epigenetic changes, as well as the potential outcomes, the hereditary role of poverty, and the effects of eating “grab” foods such as chips and processed foods vs not eating vegetables and other nutritious foods. You might want to discuss the concept of the food desert and the health outcomes of living in such an environment, or the stress of having to make multiple stops, not having the ability to purchase healthy foods, etc. 2. Put yourself in the role of an upstreamist. Describe the vulnerabilities of this population both as they make their shopping decisions and as a result of the decisions they make (for themselves and their families). What types of social and environmental (supermarket) factors contribute to their decisions and where do they have their origin (for example, yes, poverty, but where does the poverty come from?), to do this consider their vulnerabilities, why they do what they do, their outcomes. Propose 2 possible changes that could positively impact on their outcomes (eradicating poverty for sure, but make it something that is do-able, maybe not as expansive) 3. Consider cultural or race-based (racism or social) factors that might contribute to the outcomes described in the article (this goes beyond the article but could be a factor in outcomes, speculate on that for the purposes of this question, take a social justice stance). How do the authors describe the participants? What racial/social or cultural factors might be relevant (we don’t have some information, you will be speculating in this one, but that’s fine)? Considering social/economic and other disparities, could white privilege play a role at all? Do cultural factors play a role in the food choices they make? If yes, explain why, if no, explain why not. What outcomes do you think might relieve some of the “structural constraints” (from page 666 para. 2) described, including cultural or racial disparities that you see? 4. Put yourself in the role of creating a health policy that addresses the needs or situation described in the article. What part of the issue would you address and how would you approach it? Explain the societal impact or reason you would address this problem. What level policy would be needed (organizational, local, state…). What process would be needed, would you think this would need to be enacted as a law? How could you finance the policy (or the changes it would require)? What types of financial options are there? See if you can find a similar policy and use that as your framework (make sure to cite it).
