Dr. Brancati and Trainee Publish Twice on Healthy Food Availability

Manuel Franco, MD, PhD, a trainee of GIM Director, Fred Brancati, MD, MHS, is the lead author of two recently published studies comparing place of residence with availability of healthy foods. The proximity of good food options such as fresh fruits and vegetables, skim milk and whole-wheat bread, is a major factor in diet, and ultimately in general health. The studies found less availability of such items in lower-income neighborhoods than in higher-income neighborhoods in Baltimore City and Baltimore County . Co-author Benjamin Caballero, MD, PhD, professor in the Bloomberg School’s Department of International Health remarks on the studies’ findings by saying, “Our studies show that where you live is a major determinant of your health.”

The publications merited a press release by the JHU Bloomberg School of Public Health, which can be read in its entirety by clicking on its title, “Healthy Food Availability Could Depend on Where You Live—So Does the Quality of Your Diet.”

The study titled “Availability of Health Foods and Dietary Patterns: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis” was written by Manuel Franco, Ana V. Diez-Roux, Jennifer A. Nettleton, Mariana Lazo, Frederick L. Brancati, Benjamin Caballero, Thomas A. Glass and Latetia V Moore. It appeared in the March 2009 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

The second study, “Neighborhood Characteristics and Availability of Healthy Foods in Baltimore” was written by Manuel Franco, Ana V. Diez Roux, Thomas A. Glass, Benjamin Caballero and Frederick L. Brancati. The research was published in the December 2008 issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.