As a preteen, I began noticing that diabetes, specifically type 2, is prevalent in my family. My grandparents had it, my aunt and uncle had it, and my parents were at risk of developing it. I was constantly reminded that the disease “ran in the family,” and my siblings and I would have to take “extra” care of ourselves as adults to break the detrimental cycle.
It was not until I was in high school, when an immediate family member was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, that I began thinking about how the likelihood of developing the disease is contingent on the types of foods (i.e. healthy versus unhealthy) accessible to us. In college, I was introduced to the concept of food insecurity, which is an economic and social condition that limits an individual’s access to affordable, nutritious, and adequate food. This was when I realized that my family members may have contracted type 2 diabetes because of their experiences with food insecurity throughout their lives.
In New York City, 16.4 percent (approximately 1.37 million people) of the population was food insecure at some point in 2014. Brooklyn has the highest food insecurity rate (20 percent), followed by the Bronx (18.7 percent) and Manhattan (15.1 percent). Another indicator of food insecurity is the meal gap, which essentially calculates how many meals are missing in a particular area. Neighborhoods such as Coney Island, Mott Haven, and East Harlem have meal gaps that are more than 35 meals per person.
In order to mitigate food insecurity, the federal and state governments provide food purchasing power via the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This entitlement program serves 1.7 million New York City residents; however, it is not as effective as it should be. While it encourages recipients to eat healthy, it does not provide them with sufficient food purchasing power to do so.
An individual receiving SNAP benefits and living in a household of four receives approximately $1.90 for each meal he/she is expected to consume in a month, although the average meal cost in New York City is $5.06. This discrepancy leads SNAP beneficiaries to purchase and consume cheaper, processed foods as opposed to nutritious, healthy foods, which tend to be more expensive and less accessible, especially in low-income neighborhoods. The constant consumption of unhealthy foods, such as packaged meats (e.g. spam and corned beef), can lead to the development of chronic dietary diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure – all of which can cause premature death.
The consequences of food insecurity disproportionally impacts minority communities. For example, in neighborhoods with high meal gaps, such as East Harlem and Mott Haven, there are significant Puerto Rican populations. According to a report authored by New York City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Puerto Ricans have high rates of obesity (67 percent), diabetes (18 percent), high blood pressure (37 percent), and premature death (262.4 premature deaths per 100,00 people). Collectively considering rates of food insecurity and health disparities in Puerto Rican neighborhoods suggests that a strong correlation exists between the two. This relationship exists amongst plenty of other demographics and demands immediate attention.
New York City’s municipal government has an extensive repertoire of policies and initiatives dedicated to improving food security in low-income communities. Because it is unlikely that SNAP benefits will be increased by the current federal government, New York City should consider expanding initiatives that encourage youth involvement and embrace the utilization of urban agriculture, such as Grow to Learn NYC and Farms at NYCHA. Encouraging New York City youth to grow and prepare their own food in a manner that is culturally appropriate can lead to a decrease in food insecurity and health disparities, thereby rewriting the futures of many vibrant New York City communities.