Researchers studied over 1,800 stroke cases in Cincinnati to see if living in “food deserts” - poor areas with limited access to healthy food - increases stroke risk. They found that people in these areas do have 23% higher stroke rates, but it’s mainly because of poverty itself, not the lack of nearby grocery stores. This suggests that low income affects stroke risk through other pathways beyond just food access, like stress, healthcare access, and overall living conditions.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether living in poor areas with limited access to healthy food stores increases the risk of having a stroke
  • Who participated: 1,802 people who had their first stroke in the Cincinnati area during 2015, with an average age of 70 years and 53% being women
  • Key finding: People in food deserts had 23% higher stroke rates, but this was mainly due to poverty rather than lack of food access
  • What it means for you: If you live in a low-income area, focus on managing stroke risk factors you can control, like blood pressure and diet, regardless of nearby store options

The Research Details

Scientists identified every person hospitalized for a stroke in the greater Cincinnati area during 2015 by reviewing hospital records. They then mapped each person’s home address and compared it to government data about food deserts - areas defined as both low-income and far from grocery stores. Food deserts are identified using specific rules about how far people live from supermarkets and what the local poverty rates are.

This approach is important because it looks at real stroke cases in a entire region rather than just asking people about their health. By studying everyone who had a stroke in one year, researchers could get accurate rates and avoid the bias that comes from people self-reporting their conditions.

The study used official government definitions for food deserts and had doctors confirm each stroke case rather than relying on computer codes alone. However, it only looked at one year of data in one region, so the findings may not apply everywhere.

What the Results Show

People living in food deserts had a 23% higher rate of stroke compared to those in other areas. However, when researchers separated the effects of low income from poor food access, they found that low income alone explained most of this increased risk. Areas with low income had 21% higher stroke rates even after accounting for age, sex, race, and food access. Surprisingly, poor food access by itself didn’t significantly increase stroke risk when income was considered separately.

The study found that the combination of being poor AND having limited food access created the highest stroke risk, but poverty was the stronger factor. This suggests that other aspects of living in low-income areas - beyond just food access - contribute to stroke risk.

Previous research has shown that people in food deserts have higher rates of diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity - all stroke risk factors. This study adds new evidence by directly measuring stroke rates rather than just risk factors, and by separating the effects of poverty from food access.

The study only looked at one year in one region, so results may not apply to other areas or time periods. It also couldn’t account for individual factors like personal income, education, or lifestyle choices that might explain the differences between neighborhoods.

The Bottom Line

Focus on managing controllable stroke risk factors like blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar regardless of your neighborhood. If you live in a low-income area, work extra closely with healthcare providers to monitor these risk factors. Don’t assume that living near a grocery store alone will significantly reduce your stroke risk.

People living in low-income neighborhoods should be especially aware of stroke risk factors. Healthcare providers and policymakers should recognize that addressing poverty may be more important for stroke prevention than just improving food access.

Stroke risk reduction from lifestyle changes typically takes months to years to show benefits. Focus on consistent, long-term management of blood pressure, diet, and other risk factors.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track blood pressure readings weekly and note any patterns related to stress, diet, or medication adherence
  • Set daily goals for heart-healthy behaviors like taking medications, eating vegetables, and managing stress, regardless of local store options
  • Monitor stroke risk factors monthly including blood pressure trends, medication adherence, and stress levels to identify areas for improvement

This research shows associations between neighborhood characteristics and stroke risk but cannot prove causation. Individual stroke risk depends on many personal factors. Always consult with healthcare providers for personalized stroke prevention strategies and do not make medical decisions based solely on neighborhood characteristics.