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- Title
Community Gardens: A Tool for Public Housing Complexes to Combat Food Insecurity in the Older Adult Population.
- Authors
Suhood, Sarah; Robinson, Chayanne; Tovar, Carmel N.; Love, Sydney E.; Kielhack, Bridgette
- Abstract
In the United States and worldwide, food insecurity continues to plague underserved communities. At-risk populations experiencing other barriers to health, such as homelessness and poverty, will further suffer from food insecurity to a greater degree. Locally, public housing facilities can be improved by implementing community gardens. This will not only address food insecurity but also provide health benefits that can uniquely benefit the older adult and disabled population. Benefits include improvements in physical mobility, decreasing fall risk, and preventing vitamin D deficiency. Cruciferous vegetables grown in gardens can support the gastrointestinal system's microbiome, improving cardiovascular function. Because food insecurity is linked to depression, improving mental health through gardening can notably benefit vulnerable populations. Growing food together as a community will also reduce stress levels, increase social connectedness, and improve individual-level psychosocial outcomes. By directing efforts against food insecurity, community members can receive the vital aid needed to protect their right to health.
- Subjects
UNITED States; FOOD security; PUBLIC housing; COMMUNITY gardens; GARDEN tools; PHYSICAL mobility; HOMELESS persons; MOBILITY of older people
- Publication
Texas Public Health Journal, 2024, Vol 76, Issue 2, p8
- ISSN
2574-5859
- Publication type
Article