Oral Health, Personal Safety Key Issues in Crawford County

Lack of access to oral health and general personal safety concerns are among the key issues identified through the preliminary results of the Crawford Health Needs Assessment.

Currently, less than 1,000 people have submitted their responses to the health assessment. To have an accurate picture of the health needs throughout the county, the assessment team would like to have 10 percent of the county’s population respond to its survey, which is available online at www.surveymonkey.com/s/crawfordcountyhealth.  Because the survey is performed through SurveyMonkey, only one response is permitted per computer; therefore, the assessment team is encouraging phone calls to receive paper surveys or complete the 12-minute survey via phone. County residents are urged to call Jessica Chase at 814-333-1762 or Max Lindquist at 814-333-1758. All information is confidential and neither your name nor phone number will not be taken for any purpose. You can also find the assessment team at the Crawford County Fair next week.

According to these preliminary results, nearly 30 percent of the respondents said that they have either found it difficult finding dental care that is affordable or that they lack dental insurance. In addition, nearly one-quarter of the respondents noted that their employer doesn’t offer dental insurance. Oral health is a serious concern, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is often taken for granted. The CDC reports that oral diseases often afflict those in lower-income brackets because they cannot afford or find appropriate care. Gum disease that results from poor oral hygiene is also a serious problem and if left untreated could lead to other health issues. The CDC reports links between oral infections and diabetes, heart disease, stroke and premature and low-weight births. A common and easy fix for all residents of a community is through water fluoridation – something lacking in Meadville as well as other parts of Crawford County.

The second issue revealed in the assessment’s preliminary results revolved around four key community safety concerns. First, nearly 85% of the respondents stated that they believe poverty is prevalent throughout Crawford County. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the citizens of Crawford County have an accurate view of the area’s poverty status. The percentage of people living below poverty in Crawford County is 16.2, which is far above the state’s poverty percentage of 12.5. It is also higher than the national average of people living below the poverty level, which is 14.3 percent.  With approximately 88,800 people living in Crawford County, the number of people surviving at or below the poverty level is an astounding 14,300! Poverty and poor health are strongly linked, mainly because those living in poverty cannot afford or access the health care system. In addition, studies have shown that those in poverty often will wait until a health problem is beyond cure before seeking assistance. Preventative care is generally not a consideration for those living in poverty due to a lack of financial resources.

Also revealed in the assessment was the belief that underage drinking is a serious issue in Crawford County. Interestingly, the Crawford County Drug and Alcohol Commission has been working on a social norms campaign at the high school and college levels to dispel rumors of the prevalence of underage drinking. Contrary to the popular belief that underage drinking is widespread, the CCDAC found that this is truly not the case. Less than 10 percent of the underage population participates in underage drinking with the majority adhering to the law and sound personal principals. The social norms campaign has been successful in preventing young people from trying alcohol because they believe “it is what everyone is doing.” Because it is NOT what young people are doing, the perception of underage drinking issues must be changed. Students across the county are working closely with the CCDAC to reveal the truth about underage drinking in Crawford County.

Another issue unveiled through the health assessment was that 77 percent of the respondents admitted to talking on a cell phone while driving with 36 percent stating they texted while driving over the past year. Distracted driving is a serious health and safety concern. Driving requires full attention. While we are a population of multi-taskers, driving while distracted in any form can cause serious injury or death to you or someone else. According to the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration, 16 percent of all fatal crashes from 2008 were due to distracted driving.  Only 24 states have banned texting while driving for all drivers with 9 states banning the practice for novice drivers. That leaves 17 states, including Pennsylvania, which allows the practice of texting while driving. Of interest, the bus that drives your child to school every day could legally text while driving that bus – with your children on board! The concern revealed from nationwide statistics as well as through our own health assessment shows that distracted driving is prevalent and worsening if stricter laws are not put into place.

These preliminary results could profoundly change depending on how many people respond to the survey by the end of the surveying period. Again, if you haven’t yet completed it, you can do so at the Crawford County Fair the week of August 21^st. All residents of the county are urged to make their health needs known so that the health organizations in our communities can provide the services and help you need.

References:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Oral Health: Preventing cavities, gum disease, tooth loss and oral cancers at a glance 2011. Retrieved August 4, 2011 from http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/AAG/doh.htm.

Texting While Driving. (2011). Beware the dangers of texting while driving. Retrieved August 4, 2011 from http://texting-while-driving.org/.

U.S. Census Bureau. (2011). Quick Facts: Crawford County, Pennsylvania. Retrieved August 4, 2011 from http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/42/42039.html.

You Are What You Tweet

“You are what you tweet!” That is the title of a newly released research study that revealed an interesting public health view of social networking. In the high-speed computer age in which we now reside, it’s important to remember that much information is commonly and voluntarily revealed through postings to Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, and many other such sites. 

In July, Johns Hopkins University released a study that discovered “tweets” could potentially help identify public health trends across the country and throughout the world. The recent study suggested that Twitter in particular could help identify health patterns of cancer, obesity, allergies, tobacco use, insurance needs, and much more. People tweet a plethora of information, many of which tend to revolve around the health of themselves and their families. By monitoring the tweeting of specific words or phrases provided real-time information on population health by region, state, and locality.

Several examples from this study showed that traditional health monitoring systems did eventually catch up to the information that Twitter tweets revealed so much faster. Influenza was one such piece of information. The study showed that people tweeting how sick they felt or that they had caught the flu provided quicker tracking information than current models used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In fact, the article found that the Twitter tracking had a 96 percent correlation with the CDC’s flu monitoring system. The only difference was that the tweets were more quickly revealed than the CDC’s system. Furthermore, the state level tracking system was also highly correlated to Twitter posts.

In relation to influenza tracking information, Twitter users were posting their use of antibiotics for the flu, which indicated a need for improved public education on the overuse of antibiotics. Antibiotics are to be used for bacterial infections. Influenza is a viral infection and, therefore, it is useless for killing the flu bug. In this case, the tweets could lead to improved public health awareness campaigns.

Insomnia was also highly reported via Twitter, as was the use of Benadryl to combat the problem. The revelation for public health professionals showed that over-the-counter drugs are often used for off-label ailments.

Aches and pains were identified frequently among Twitter posters. Among those revealing headaches or similar trouble tweeted the word “ibuprofen” most frequently (39 percent of the time for minor headaches; 49 percent for more severe pain). Such information could show the self-medication behaviors of the population. Such tweets also include the use of stronger medications such as codeine and Vicodin.

Finally, obesity and other food-related health concerns could all be tracked through postings related to exercising, lack of exercising, cheating on a diet, eating fresh fruits, going to the farmer’s market, eating fast food, binge eating, and the list goes on. Social media monitoring could potentially lead to improved health education and interventions to reverse the growing obesity rates.

The take-home message of such a study is two-fold. For public health professionals, it offers yet another monitoring method to help track trends and build needed health campaigns to improve the health of the population. For the general public, your tweets are helpful in revealing your health needs, health preferences, and health conditions. The Johns Hopkins University researchers ask that people continue to post at will, because it may actually be one of the fastest health monitoring systems currently available today.

References

Paul, M. J., & Dredze, M. (2011). You are what you tweet: Analyzing Twitter for public health.  Human Language Technology Center of Excellence, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore.

Sneiderman, P. (2011). You are what you tweet: Tracking public health trends by Twitter. Retrieved July 18, 2011 from http://gazette.jhu.edu/?p=8356.

Villarica, H. (2011). 10 things we can learn from your health-related Twitter rants. Retrieved July 18, 2011 from http://www.theatlantic.com/life/archive/2011/07/10-things-we-can-learn-from-your-health-related-twitter-rants/242002/#slide1.

How to Get a Cake with 100 Candles

The opening line of an article in the May/June issue of Psychology Today asks the question: “What does it take to get a cake with 100 candles?”

A loaded question, it may seem, but the article continues to discuss the connection between attitude and life longevity. It may seem obvious, but the more positive and optimistic a person, the more likely that he or she will live a longer and healthier life. A recent study published in Current Gerontology and Geriatrics Research noted that those who are optimistic, conscientious, welcome new experiences and maintain close relationships might live well beyond the century mark.

A growing body of academic research is now focusing on the psychological state of people as they age rather than looking at physical and genetic dispositions that support longevity. One particular study published this year in Health and Quality of Life Outcomes showed that individuals’ own actions had a greater influence on their overall health than outside factors, including upbringing and environment. Such actions include but are not limited to positive self-talk, healthy physical activities, and strong self-efficacy.

Numerous people have reached – and gone beyond – the 100-year mark. More than a decade ago, Perelman wrote that positive attitudes reap long life. In his book “100 Centenarians,” Perelman outlined the lives of 100 individuals who lived to be at least 100. Although published in 1999, the book carries an underlying theme that is still relevant today. It revolves around what today’s modern scientific studies are now finding through research: positive attitudes are associated with long and healthy lives.

Here are three key examples noted by Perelman:

1. Grandma Moses (aka Anna Mary Robertson) was born in 1860 and died in 1961 at the young age of 101.  Anna Mary suffered through numerous family losses from the blizzard of 1927 and an influenza epidemic of 1932. As she began to age, she started to paint to ease the pain of arthritis. At age 80, Grandma Moses sold her first paintings and the sales never stopped. Through family turmoil and her own physical aging, Grandma Moses never once uttered the words “woe is me.” She held a positive attitude and lived a long and prosperous life because of it.

2. Famous comedian George Burns had been born into poverty.  His given name was Nathan and he was one of 12 children of the late Louis Phillip Birnbaum and Dorothy Bluth. According to Perelman, George “joked” his way out of poverty. At age 7, he joined a quartet and sang on the street to make money. He quit school in the fourth grade to sing, dance and perform roller skating tricks in vaudeville. As the story goes, George became a famous comedian, actor and television star. His secret to a long life might be attributed to his healthy sense of humor.

3.  Rose Elizabeth Fitzgerald Kennedy, mother of former president John F. Kennedy, lived to be 105. She was a stern mother and one who demanded that children behave properly. In the limelight quite often, Rose always kept an air of dignity. She maintained a positive attitude and outlook, regardless of what challenges faced her. According to a quote in Perelman’s book, she said, “God wants us to be happy and take pleasure in life. He doesn’t want us to be sad.” Of interest, her latter years were spent in a wheelchair due to multiple debilitating strokes; however, she always kept a positive attitude.

Two other interesting individuals who lived a long and prosperous life are not as well known. One of them was Marie Louise Levesque Chasse Meilleur, 117, mother of 10 children and resident of Canada. She had 85 grandchildren, 80 great-grandchildren, 57 great-great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-great-grandchildren. Perelman noted that she attributed her longevity to hard work and staying healthy. She had quit smoking at age 90 and died of natural causes in 1998. The other individual was Christian Mortensen, 115, of Denmark who stated in Perelman’s book: “A good cigar, lots of water, no alcohol and staying positive will keep you alive a long time.” He also died in 1998.

Some other notable Centenarians are: Dr. Katherine Bain, 101, a pediatrician who spearheaded efforts to create childproof safety caps for medicines as well as safety release standards for refrigerator doors; Irving Berlin, 101, writing of 1,500 songs including “God Bless America” and “White Christmas;” Dr. William D. Coolidge, 101, developer of the modern x-ray tube and tungsten filament used in electric light bulbs; Bessie Delany, 104, one of the first African American female dentists in the United States; Chester Cornelius Hoff, 107, New York Highlander major league baseball pitcher from 1911 to 1915 who struck out Ty Cobb during his second appearance; and Victor Mills, 100, Proctor and Gamble chemical engineer who developed Pampers disposable diapers.

Positive attitudes reap longevity. Research has confirmed this concept and real people have proven it by living to and beyond 100 years of age. Just maintain a positive attitude and you too may be able to blow out 100 candles on your birthday cake some day.

References

Bowling, A., & Iliffe, S. (2011). Psychological approach to successful ageing predicts future quality of life in older adults. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 9(1), 13-22.

Conrad, M. (2011). Feeling great at 108. Psychology Today, May/June 2011, 41.

Duenwald, M. (2002). Power of positive thinking extends, it seems, to aging. Global Action on Aging. Retrieved July 1, 2011 from http://www.globalaging.org/health/us/positive.htm.

Umstattd, M. R., McAuley, E., Motl, R. W., & Rosengren, K. S. (2007). Pessimism and physical functioning in older women: influence of self-efficacy. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 30(2), 107-114.

The New Age of Human Trafficking (i.e. Slavery)

While most people think that the era of slavery ended when the government abolished the practice with the passage of the 13^th Amendment in mid-1800s, this is far from the truth. Despite the Amendment, human trafficking continues as an underground movement – and one that threatens the health and freedoms of individuals worldwide. While most of the modern-day slavery exists in other countries, much of it does occur in the United States. According to a recent article in Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, “people can be purchased for less than a pair of shoes.” The article contents that a human being can fetch between $30 and $1,000 for the seller, with many of the victims being children. A separate report in the Journal Gender Issues revealed that human trafficking proceeds from around the globe exceed $44 billion (in US dollars) annually.

One specific report in the Journal of Humanistic Counseling, Education & Development found that 27 million victims of human trafficking occur annually worldwide with about 20,000 of those being victims in the United States. While modern-day slavery may not look like the slavery written in our history books, it does follow a similar pattern. Human trafficking involves forcing individuals into labor without their consent. This includes prostitution, street beggars, sweat-shop laborers, and any other forced employment. Human trafficking/slavery also encompasses any threats of death or harm to the individual’s family if their employment is not upheld. Such control methods include physical and sexual abuse or rape as well as confinement.

Women and girls make up 56%, men and boys 44% of those victimized by human trafficking in the United States. Furthermore 40-50% of all victims of human trafficking are children. One such example cited in Gender Issues discusses the fact that people from Thailand were forced to come to the hurricane-ravaged areas in and around New Orleans to clean certain disaster sites under deplorable conditions. In another instance, the journal also reported that many women from Mexico traveled into the United States and had their formal papers confiscated. They were able to “earn” their papers back through prostitution over time. Some of these women were as young as age 14.

Such human abuse is deplorable, and should not occur in the 21^st Century. Yet, it does. Locally, we are not immune to such human trafficking issues. Some concerned citizens have connected with the Crawford Health Improvement Coalition to increase the awareness of such activity in the United States, but more specifically in Crawford County. According to their information, several businesses owned or operated by Asian or Indian personnel tend to be feeding grounds for human trafficking. Such places will bring in foreigners from their native countries and force them into labor with promises of freedom later.

According to Polaris Project, a national project which focuses on identifying and stopping human trafficking, very little has been done on the state level to identify and subsequently eliminate modern-day slavery. According to the project’s statistics (found at www.polarisproject.org), only Virginia, California, and Wisconsin are specifically tracking cases of human trafficking. To date, the Federal Bureau of Investigations has convicted 185 people of human trafficking; The FBI Crimes Against Children Unit has convicted 182; and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division/Criminal Section in conjunction with the U.S. Attorney’s Offices convicted 302 people. Furthermore, Immigration and Customs Enforcement has made 264 convictions of forced sexual or forced labor crimes. All four investigation departments above have more than 1,000 open cases of human trafficking combined.

So, if you think slavery is a thing of the past, think again. It’s very much alive and going strong – underground for the most part. Awareness is the first line of defense. Next, keep your eyes and ears open for suspicious activities. If you suspect any such human trafficking activities, there are two hotlines available to you. First, to report human trafficking, contact the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services at their national hotline: toll-free 888-373-7888. To report forced labor and worker exploitation, contact the U.S. Department of Justice at their national hotline at toll-free 888-428-7581. Or, you could visit www.humantrafficking.org to learn more information on this serious, yet quiet, issue.

References:

Academy for Educational Development. (2011). Human trafficking. Retrieved July 10, 2011 from http://www.humantrafficking.org/countries/united_states_of_america/helplines.

Hepburn, S., & Simon, R. J. (2010). Hidden in plain sight: human trafficking in the United

States. Gender Issues, 27, 1-26.

Hu, H. (2011). The dark side of globalization. Diverse: Issues in High Education, 28(7), 10-11.

Project Polaris. (2011). Retrieved July 10, 2011 from http://www.dreamcenter.org/new/images/outreach/RescueProject/stats.pdf.

Stotts, E. L., & Ramey, L. (2009). Human trafficking: a call for counselor awareness and action. Journal of Humanistic Counseling, Education & Development, 48, 36-47.

Don't Blame Ronald for your Poor Health Choices

A recent report in The Wall Street Journal revealed that more than 550 health professionals and organizations have signed a letter to McDonald’s Corporation asking them to quit marketing their Happy Meals to children and to retire their mascot, Ronald McDonald. Supposedly this letter was printed in six metropolitan newspapers across the country on Wednesday, May 18.

While I am a public health professional and concerned about the high obesity rates – especially among children, I question whether this is a suitable approach to building a healthier nation. Is it really McDonald’s responsibility to feed our children low-fat, low-sodium, low-sugar, and low-calorie foods? Whatever happened to personal responsibility? Whatever happened to parenting that involves appropriately feeding their children healthy and nutritious foods? Whatever happened to families teaching our children that food fuels our bodies and that it is important to select healthy options?

While it is truly not their responsibility, McDonald’s Corporation has gone above and beyond to offer healthy alternatives to the greasy hamburger and overly salted French fries commonly ordered at the chain. In McDonald’s defense of marketing to children, let’s take a look at the child’s menu options. The traditional “Happy Meal” comes with one of the following main protein sources: hamburger, cheeseburger or chicken nuggets. After the main dish selection, the options become rather interesting: you have a choice of fries or apple slices. Parents who are mindful of their child’s health will ensure they select the apple slices (or order it for them). Furthermore, the drink is not a sugary soda, but either low-fat milk or apple juice. Total caloric intake: 250 for the hamburger, 100 for the milk, and 105 calories for the apple w/dip for a total of 455 calories (take off 70 calories if no dip is consumed with the apples). In fact, a nonscientific survey of several of my peers who have young children indicated that their child prefers the healthy alternatives at McDonald’s. Perhaps my friends understand the concept of personal responsibility and instilling healthy behaviors to their children.

In addition to the Happy Meal, McDonald’s has many other healthy alternatives for adults as well. For example, they now offer oatmeal, a food choice that wouldn’t have been seen in the store even five years ago. They also have some of the best salads that fast-food chains offer, including the Asian chicken salad, grilled chicken salad, and side salad. Yes, many of the salads are topped with fried chicken, which is not the healthiest selection; however, my point is that there are options besides ordering high-fat foods. Furthermore, they even have a snack-size fruit and walnut salad.

At McDonald’s competition – Burger King, Wendy’s and Taco Bell – there are few, if any, options for children. Burger King does have apple slices, but doesn’t market them as part of their kid’s meals like McDonald’s has been doing. Burger King also only serves 3 different salads, unlike McDonald’s selection of 10. Wendy’s also has a limited menu for the health-conscious diner. Included on what they coin as their nutritious offerings are apple slices, four salad choices, a plain baked potato and a small chili. Taco Bell has no low-fat food choices as all of their salads are served in deep-fried taco shells, and they offer no fruit option. Probably the healthiest thing on the menu is the salsa...if eaten by itself!

The list of fast food restaurants seems endless, but the choice to dine at any of them comes down to personal responsibility. Although I seem to be defending it with great force in this column, I confess that I’m not a huge fan of McDonald’s and generally do not eat there...but that’s my personal choice. If I were taken to there, though, I know I would at least be able to find something relatively low-fat to eat.

According to the Wall Street Journal article I mentioned earlier, fast food restaurants as well as other food makers are routinely attacked for marketing to children. In response, federal standards have been posted by the Federal Trade Commission, the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. These guidelines suggest (not require) that marketers push their healthier items to limit children’s attraction to high-fat, high-sodium, high-sugar, and high-caloric foods.

Still, is it really the government’s responsibility to tell your child what to eat? I don’t think so. It comes down to parents teaching their children, it comes down to personal responsibility for your own health and the health of your family. If you choose to go to McDonald’s, that’s fine. Eat what you wish...but don’t blame the restaurant for your poor health because no one held a gun to your head for you to eat a Quarter Pounder with cheese for a whopping 740 calories, 42 grams of fat, and 1380 mg of sodium topped off with a side of fries (380 calories) and chased down by a large cola (210 calories).

References:

Burger King. (2011). Retrieved June 20, 2011 from http://www.bk.com.

Jargon, J. (2011). McDonald’s under pressure to fire Ronald. Retrieved June 20, 2011 from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703509104576329610340358394.html

McDonald’s Corporation. (2011). Retrieved June 20, 2011 from http://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en/home.html

Taco Bell. (2011). Retrieved June 20, 2011 from http://www.tacobell.com/.

Speak Up, Speak Clearly, & Speak Loudly!

Speaking up, loud and clear, is what we’re looking for with the newly launched countywide health needs assessment. We want to know what you need…and we are now asking. It’s your turn to speak up.

That’s what all the fuss is about regarding this thing called a “health assessment.” So, why do we need a health assessment? That may be the critical question after reading last week’s Tribune article about a new health survey for Crawford County. Aside from the fact that a countywide health assessment is required under the newly enacted Affordable Care Act, a health assessment will shed some light on what we do well in our community and what we need to improve upon in the world of healthcare and public health.

The last countywide health assessment from 2004-2005 sought to determine our county’s health needs and resulted in two major changes. According to the Meadville Medical Center, the previous study revealed a lack in care and treatment options for cancer patients. In the past, residents would travel more than 100 miles and sometime farther to seek treatment and care. Why weren’t quality cancer treatments offered locally? Out of those loud and clear voices came the Yolanda G. Barco Oncology Institute. The health assessment clearly indicated the need for improved access to and extended care for all types of cancer patients.

The same health assessment also clearly identified a lack of access to basic medical care for people of all ages. The assessment discovered that many people could not afford routine medical care such as annual check-ups or did not have a primary care physician due to a lack of health insurance. Out of those loud and clear voices came the birth of the Meadville Area Free Clinic. Thousands of people without health insurance or access to regular medical care now have it.

Our health providers are listening. We truly are…but you need to speak up to be heard and speak clearly about what you need. Those in the public health world as well as the medical community are taking your needs to heart in planning services and programs that meet those needs

Now is your chance to speak up, speak clearly, and speak loudly. The launch of the new Crawford County Health Needs Assessment Survey was created by a diverse group of health care providers and public health agencies from various county organizations including both county hospitals, the Crawford Health Improvement Coalition, Wesbury, Community Health Services, Allegheny College, Active Aging, and the United Way. As part of this assessment team, I sat through several meetings where we spent many hours pouring over potential survey questions, past assessments, and current services. We also considered input on service gaps as identified from each agency represented. Out of this information came the present health assessment – available in online, paper, or in-person formats. None of the survey methods collect names, addresses, or any other identifying information you; therefore, there will be no follow-up marketing calls, no fundraising, and no additional contact whatsoever. We are just looking for your needs, whatever they may be. We are looking for your loud voice!

The easiest way to complete the survey is through the online version found at www.surveymonkey.com/s/crawfordcountyhealth.  It takes about 12 minutes to complete. For those who would rather answer the survey through the mail or speak directly to a member of the assessment data collection team may do so by calling one of the following individuals: Jessica Chase at 814-333-1762 or Max Lindquist at 814-333-1758. Again, no one is recording your name, address or phone number. If you request a hard-copy version of the survey, we will need your name and address to send you the survey, but please be aware that we are not tracking this information.

I am honored to be part of such a diverse group of researchers from across the county. Because of our diversity, we are also hoping to obtain diversity among our respondents. We are looking for people from all walks of life to complete this survey – from low-income to high-income, exercisers to couch potatoes, smokers to nonsmokers, drinkers to nondrinkers, young adults to senior citizens, and the list goes on. You may be the key that unlocks a door to a new service or offering that is missing in Crawford County. Our group is only about 20 people strong. Crawford County contains more than 88,500 residents. We need your voice…we need you to speak up, speak clearly, and speak loudly.

Pennsylvania’s Unique Approach to Combating Childhood Obesity

The lack of access to healthy foods is directly linked to health in both positive and negative ways. Research has shown that supermarkets and grocery stores that offer fresh fruits and vegetables helps the community residents maintain healthy weights, which in turn wards off heart disease, diabetes, and other weight-related illnesses.

In Pennsylvania, a new initiative began a few years ago to provide low-income and rural communities with local grocery stores. Known as Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI), the program provides statewide financing designed to attract supermarkets and grocery stores to underserved urban and rural communities.

It has five key objectives:

1. Reduce the high incidence of food-related diseases
2. Stimulate investment in low-income communities
3. Remove financing obstacles to strengthen supermarkets in poor communities
4. Create living wage jobs
5. Prepare and retain a qualified workforce

By June 2010, the state had approved 93 applications out of 206 for financing under the FFFI. What resulted were numerous new grocery stores in underserved urban areas as well as many family-owned supermarkets for rural communities. The closest community store to us cropped up in Warren County. More specifically, Polly’s ShurSave opened in Tidioute in 2009 and has been successful for the community in providing new jobs and access to fresh produce. It’s too early to determine the store’s impact on overweight and obesity rates as well as other food-related disorders.

While prior studies have shown that access to healthy foods is tied to obesity, it stands to reason that Polly’s ShurSave and other stores funded through this initiative could be helpful for Pennsylvania’s residents. Furthermore, this type of project also points to the benefit of eating fresh foods from local farmers. Toward that end, it may be beneficial for you to seek out locally grown foods, many of which are offered at local Farmer’s markets as well as the Market House. All summer long, fresh produce can be purchased at lower rates than some larger chain grocers can offer.

While the FFFI has not provided any direct assistance to Crawford County, the very reason for its existence can be duplicated in our own shopping actions. Remember, think fresh and think local. Not only will you be helping yourself to maintain a healthy body weight, you will be supporting the local economy.

Reference

The Reinvestment Fund. (2010). Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative. Retrieved May 8, 2011, from http://www.trfund.com/resource/downloads/Fresh_Food_Financing_Initiative_Comprehensive.pdf.

Superpages.com. (2011). Polly’s ShurSave. Retrieved May 8, 2011, from http://www.superpages.com/bp/Tidioute-PA/Pollys-Shursave-L0003490872.htm.

The Food Trust (2004). Supermarket campaign. Improving access to supermarkets in underserved communities. Retrieved May 8, 2011, from http://www.thefoodtrust.org/php/programs/super.market.campaign.php#FFFIcreation.

Warren Times Observer. (2009). A successful first year for Warren County Main Street. Retrieved May 8, 2011, from http://www.timesobserver.com/page/content.detail/id/515156.html?nav=5109.