Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects food deserts have on mortality rate from diabetes and heart disease in Chicago. Food deserts are a global issue that affects the health and livelihood of millions of people from lack of nutrition. This study highlights the significance of the number and types of food sources that are present in neighborhoods for residents. The data I use is open-source data from the Chicago Data Portal and the Chicago Health Atlas from the years 2012 to 2016. I used multiple linear regression to test whether the number and/ or type of stores has a positive or negative relationship with mortality rate from diabetes and heart disease. The regression model outcomes suggest that the relationship is present at a statistically significant level, though not very strong. The relatively low strength of the relationship could be due to other demographic factors that are not accounted for in this study. These findings demonstrate that food deserts are correlated with high mortality rates from diabetes and heart disease in the southern region of Chicago which is disproportionately comprised of marginalized communities.

Advisor

Mariola, Matt

Department

Environmental Studies

Disciplines

Environmental Public Health | Life Sciences | Nutrition

Publication Date

2023

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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© Copyright 2023 Helena Janczak