Hunger and Violence: An Ecological Examination in Fulton County Atlanta, Georgia 公开

Abstract

Background. Atlanta, Georgia has experienced rapid growth in both spatial capacity and population over the past several decades and has become one of the largest commercial and industrial regions in the southeast (Lo, 2002). With the growing population also came a rise in food deserts (FD). In addition, crime increased within the city and continues to be a public health issue not only in Georgia but globally.

Methods. To understand the relationship between food deserts and violence, an ecological study was done in Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia. Data were obtained from the United States Department of Agriculture Food Access Research Atlas (USDA) and the Atlanta Police Department (PD). Spatial analysis was done using Anselin Moran’s I to determine spatial autocorrelation for crime, grouping crime into clusters of above average (high-high) values, below average (low-low) values, high values surrounded by low (high-low) values, and low-values surrounded by high (low-high) values of crime. Furthermore, regression analysis was conducted to investigate if being exposed to areas classified as FD was associated with higher rates of crime. Data included all crimes reported within Fulton County in areas under Atlanta PD jurisdiction.

           

Results. In Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, within the Atlanta PD jurisdiction there is a significant relationship between living in FD and violent crimes with demonstrated significance when controlling for no vehicle and low access to supermarket or healthy food. The odds of high-high (HH) clusters of crime in FD census tracts are 1.89 times greater than low-low (LL) clusters of crime in non-FD census tracts ([OR] 1.89; 1.60,2.23]). The odds of HH tracts is 2.13 times greater than HL, LH, and LL census tracts ([OR] 2.13; 2.01,2.26]). When adjusting for no vehicle, no access at ½ mile had a protective effect.

Discussion. The findings of this study provide context for FD and number of violent crimes in Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia. The study further stratifies the data into clusters, demonstrating a significant relationship between living in a FD and number of violent crimes compared to living in non-FD areas. It describes the complex interactions between multiple factors and the multilevel nuances pertaining to these factors. The findings of this study serve as a foundation for future interdisciplinary research and influence additional research at the neighborhood and individual levels to advance food access and potential interventions for violent crimes within this area.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Tables and Figures

Acronym List

Chapter 1: Introduction………………………………………………………………….. 1

Problem Statement……………………………………............................................. 1

Purpose Statement…………………………………………………………………. 2

Research Objective………………………………………………………………... 2

Significance Statement…………………………………………………………...... 2

Chapter 2: Literature Review…………………………………………………………… 4

Food Access……………………………………...………..……………………….. 5

Violence………………………………………......................................................... 7

Violence as an Outcome…………………………………………………….…....... 9

Conclusion……………………………………………………………………….… 13

Chapter 3: Methods………………………………………………………………………. 14

Study Population…………………………………………………………………… 14

Environmental Characteristics……………………………………………………... 14

Data Management and Analysis…………………………………………………… 15

Chapter 4: Results…………………………………………………………………………18

Food Desert Characteristics……………………...………………………………… 18

Types of Violent Crimes………..………………………………………………….. 18

High-High Clusters of Crime versus Low-Low Clusters….………………………..19

High-High Clusters of Crime versus High-Low, Low-High, and Low-Low……….20

Chapter 5: Discussion…………………………………………………………………….. 24

Limitations and Strengths … ……………………………………………………… 26

Conclusions…………………………………………………………………………27

Chapter 6: Implications and Recommendations for Future Action……....................... 29

References…………………………………………………………………………………. 31

Table of Tables and Figures

Figure 1. Map of distribution of food deserts (census tract level), 2015………………….. 22

Figure 2. Map of distribution of food deserts (census tract level), 2015………………….. 23

Table 1. Ecological characteristics of Fulton County

within Atlanta PD jurisdiction at the census-tract

level by FD (n = 122), Atlanta, Georgia, 2015……………….……………………. 21

Table 2. Estimated number of crimes according by type

of crime reported (n = 30,089), Atlanta, Georgia, 2015…………………………… 22

Table 2. Estimated number of crimes according by type

of crime reported (n = 30,089), Atlanta, Georgia, 2015…………………………… 23

About this Master's Thesis

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• Permission granted by the author to include this thesis or dissertation in this repository. All rights reserved by the author. Please contact the author for information regarding the reproduction and use of this thesis or dissertation.

School	Rollins School of Public Health
Department	Hubert Department of Global Health
Degree	M.P.H.
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Health Sciences, Public Health Psychology, Behavioral
关键词	Food Access Fulton County Crime Violence Mixed-methods Atlanta Quantitative Analysis Food Desert Spatial Analysis
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Amy Webb-Girard, Emory University
Committee Members	Johnathan Edwards, Emory University

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