Corner Store Owners as Health Promotion Agents in Low-Income Communities

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 905-915
Author(s):  
Rachael D. Dombrowski ◽  
Michele A. Kelley
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Small Business ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Theory Development ◽  
Qualitative Inquiry ◽  
Cook County ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Corner Store ◽  
Corner Stores

Reports of small business owner motivations for participation in health promotion interventions are rarely reported in the literature, particularly in relation to healthy eating interventions. This study explicates and defines the development of healthy corner stores as community-based enterprises (CBEs) within eight low-income, suburban communities. CBEs are defined as community-oriented small businesses with a common goal to improve population health. The corner stores assessed in this study were participants in Healthy HotSpot (HH), a corner store initiative of the Cook County Department of Public Health. To determine store alignment with the CBE construct, a case study design was used for qualitative inquiry. Participant narratives from store owners ( n = 21), community-based organizations (CBOs; n = 8) and consumer focus groups ( n = 51) were analyzed using an iterative process to determine how store owners aligned with the CBE construct, and how this influenced continuation of health promotion activities. Several key factors influenced the strength of store owners’ alignment with the CBE construct. They included the following: (a) shared ethno-cultural identities and residential area as consumers; (b) positive, trustworthy relationships with consumers; (c) store owners valuing and prioritizing community health, often over profits; and (d) collaboration with a highly engaged CBO in the HH project. Results can assist in theory development and intervention design in working with corner store owners, and other small business owners, as health promotion agents to improve and sustain health outcomes and help ensure the economic vitality of low-income communities.

scholarly journals Assessing Health Promotion Interventions: Limitations of Traditional Research Methods in Community-Based Studies

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 573-580 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Dressel ◽  
Robert Schneider ◽  
Melissa DeNomie ◽  
Jennifer Kusch ◽  
Whitney Welch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Research Methods ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Community Settings ◽  
Community Based ◽  
African American Adults ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Traditional Research ◽  
Health Promotion Interventions

Most low-income Americans fail to meet physical activity recommendations. Inactivity and poor diet contribute to obesity, a risk factor for multiple chronic diseases. Health promotion activities have the potential to improve health outcomes for low-income populations. Measuring the effectiveness of these activities, however, can be challenging in community settings. A “Biking for Health” study tested the impact of a bicycling intervention on overweight or obese low-income Latino and African American adults to reduce barriers to cycling and increase physical activity and fitness. A randomized controlled trial was conducted in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in summer 2015. A 12-week bicycling intervention was implemented at two sites with low-income, overweight, or obese Latino and African American adults. We found that randomized controlled trial methodology was suboptimal for use in this small pilot study and that it negatively affected participation. More discussion is needed about the effectiveness of using traditional research methods in community settings to assess the effectiveness of health promotion interventions. Modifications or alternative methods may yield better results. The aim of this article is to discuss the effectiveness and feasibility of using traditional research methods to assess health promotion interventions in community-based settings.

scholarly journals Local Farmer Perspectives on Improving Produce Distribution Networks in Low-Income Urban Settings

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 149-149
Author(s):  
Kelley Koeppen ◽  
Dahiany Zayas-Toro ◽  
Nina Martin ◽  
Lisa Poirier ◽  
Emma Lewis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Fresh Produce ◽  
Distribution Networks ◽  
Food Distribution ◽  
Urban Settings ◽  
Market Expansion ◽  
Corner Store ◽  
Corner Stores ◽  
The City ◽  
Local Farmers

Abstract Objectives The Baltimore food system includes small hyper-local urban farms within city limits, larger local farms surrounding the city, and ubiquitous corner stores particularly in low-income neighborhoods of the city. In this system, farmers mainly reach consumers through farmer's markets that are only open for a limited number of hours per week, seasonally, and may not be adequate for meeting the needs of low-income households with low access to fresh produce. To address this gap, our team is working to develop a mobile application (app), called the Baltimore Urban food Distribution (BUD) app, that will provide a platform for farmers to sell their produce directly to corner stores for resale. Our present aims were to: (1) understand farmer's current interactions with corner stores; (2) explore perceived challenges that the BUD app may pose to farmers; and (3) pinpoint how the BUD app can sustainably expand farmers’ market base to include corner stores. Methods After designing a BUD app prototype based on formative research, 1-hour in-depth interviews were conducted with hyper-local and local farmers. Farmers were asked about their current distribution practices within Baltimore and perceived challenges in adopting the app. Farmers were then shown the prototype and asked to provide input on user-friendliness, and interest level in future use of the app. Results Local farmers currently have little to no interaction with corner stores. Interviews revealed that local farmers did not want the responsibility of delivering produce to corner stores due to long travel times. Choosing a central location for pickup by corner store owners, such as a farmer's market, could address this. Farmers liked app features such as product info pages and alerts for deals to support market expansion to corner stores. Social networking opportunities within the app can help foster sustainable relationships among local farmers and corner store owners. Conclusions A stronger distribution network is needed to facilitate increased access to fresh produce in low-income urban settings and strengthen connections between local farmers, corner stores, and consumers. Mobile technology offers a promising approach to improve food distribution between local farmers and corner stores and should be further explored. Funding Sources NHLBI, NIH, award number R34HL145368.

scholarly journals Promoting small business support of youth physical activity in low-income, minority neighborhoods (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Suminski ◽  
Shannon Robson ◽  
Eric Plautz
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Small Business ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Business Support ◽  
Youth Physical Activity

BACKGROUND An unacceptably high percentage of our nation’s low-income, minority youth (< 18 years of age) are not regularly physically active. This contributes to extreme health disparities such as obesity rates nearly two-fold higher than those seen in white youth and greater risk for diabetes and related cardiometabolic disorders. The presence of quality youth physical activity opportunities (YPAO) enables and encourages physically active lifestyles. Unfortunately, quality YPAOs often are lacking in places where minority youth live, resulting in low activity levels and subsequent health issues that represent significant disparities in our society. Our previous research found that small businesses (< 500 employees), which represent over 99% of all employers, are powerful resources for creating and improving YPAOs. In accordance with the Socioecological Model and established philanthropic principles, we developed an alpha version of an intervention (alpha-i) for increasing small businesses’ involvement with YPAOs. OBJECTIVE The objectives of the proposed study is to create a beta version (beta-i) of the intervention and conduct a pilot study of its impact on small business support for YPAOs and YPAO utilization by youth in low-income, minority neighborhoods. METHODS We will complete three aims to meet our study objectives. Aim 1: Refine alpha-i components by completing focus groups with small business owners, YPAO providers, and parents/guardians of youth from low-income, predominantly minority neighborhoods. Results of the qualitative analysis will inform final tailoring of the intervention to create the beta-i which will be tested in Aim 2. Aim 2: Determine the effect of the beta-i on small business support for YPAOs in low-income, minority neighborhoods by conducting a plot cluster randomized-control trial with randomization at the neighborhood level. Intervention neighborhoods (n=10) will receive the beta-i while control neighborhoods (n=10) will be provided a standard practice intervention for a period of one year. The primary outcome for aim 2 will be the percentage of small businesses not supporting YPAOs at baseline that subsequently provide support for YPAOs at follow-up. We also will consider the U.S. dollar equivalent of all types of support (monetary, goods/services and time) donated for YPAOs by small businesses. Aim 3: Examine the impact of the increased small business support for YPAOs on YPAO utilization by youth. The primary outcome will be the percent change in the number of youth participating in YPAOs from baseline and follow-up in the treatment and control neighborhoods. RESULTS Outcomes from this study are pending; however, preliminary studies we’ve conducted supporting the research protocol indicate that 62% of businesses not supporting community physical activity initiatives thought they should support such initiatives and that businesses supporting YPAOs did so to give back to the neighborhood, improve children's health, provide athletic experiences, and/or increase customers/revenue. In a six-month pilot study of a developmental approach to encourage small business support of physical activity in their neighborhood, we observed a 27% increase in the number of businesses supporting local physical activity programs. CONCLUSIONS The proposed study is significant because it will provide evidence that an easily replicated approach can be used to increase small business support for YPAOs and that this support results in greater use of the YPAOs by youth. Our next step will be to determine if YPAO changes resulting from increased small business support positively influence youth physical activity levels as measured by accelerometry. Our long-term goals are to create a nationally implementable practice for increasing support for YPAOs and strengthen the science of addressing health disparities in socially disadvantaged populations.

scholarly journals Corner store purchases made by adults, adolescents and children: items, nutritional characteristics and amount spent

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 1706-1712 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle R Lent ◽  
Stephanie Vander Veur ◽  
Giridhar Mallya ◽  
Tara A McCoy ◽  
Timothy A Sanders ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Corner Store ◽  
Nutritional Characteristics ◽  
Corner Stores ◽  
Food And Beverage ◽  
Evaluation Staff ◽  
Adolescents And Adults

AbstractObjectiveCorner stores, also known as bodegas, are prevalent in low-income urban areas and primarily stock high-energy foods and beverages. Little is known about individual-level purchases in these locations. The purpose of the present study was to assess corner store purchases (items, nutritional characteristics and amount spent) made by children, adolescents and adults in a low-income urban environment.DesignEvaluation staff used 9238 intercept surveys to directly examine food and beverage purchases.SettingIntercepts were collected at 192 corner stores in Philadelphia, PA, USA.SubjectsParticipants were adult, adolescent and child corner store shoppers.ResultsAmong the 9238 intercept surveys, there were 20 244 items. On average, at each corner store visit, consumers purchased 2·2 (sd 2·1) items (1·3 (sd 2·0) foods and 0·9 (sd 0·9) beverages) that cost $US 2·74 (sd $US 3·52) and contained 2786·5 (sd 4454·2) kJ (666·0 (sd 1064·6) kcal). Whether the data were examined as a percentage of total items purchased or as a percentage of intercepts, the most common corner store purchases were beverages, chips, prepared food items, pastries and candy. Beverage purchases occurred during 65·9 % of intercepts and accounted for 39·2 % of all items. Regular soda was the most popular beverage purchase. Corner store purchases averaged 66·2 g of sugar, 921·1 mg of sodium and 2·5 g of fibre per intercept. Compared with children and adolescents, adults spent the most money and purchased the most energy.ConclusionsUrban corner store shoppers spent almost $US 3·00 for over 2700 kJ (650 kcal) per store visit. Obesity prevention efforts may benefit from including interventions aimed at changing corner store food environments in low-income, urban areas.

scholarly journals Improving Food System Connectivity: Using Mobile Technology to Leverage Community Partnerships and Strengthen Local Food Systems

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 569-569
Author(s):  
Dahiany Zayas Toro ◽  
Kelley Koeppen ◽  
Emma Lewis ◽  
Lisa Poirier ◽  
Nina Martin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Food System ◽  
Local Food ◽  
Fresh Produce ◽  
Community Partnerships ◽  
Food Distribution ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Corner Store ◽  
Corner Stores

Abstract Objectives In low-income areas of Baltimore, corner stores are common food sources yet often lack fresh produce. Corner stores are uniquely positioned in the urban food system and offer an opportunity to intervene on the supply chain. However, there is a critical gap in our understanding of the local food distribution network and the best strategies for provisioning corner stores with produce. We sought to inform the development of the Baltimore Urban food Distribution (BUD) mobile application (app), which moves fresh produce from local suppliers to corner stores. We sought to: (1) identify existing networks of local food distribution; (2) explore barriers to increasing fresh produce access within the local food system; and (3) evaluate the potential for sustainability of the BUD app. Methods Secondary data analysis of in-depth interviews (n = 17) conducted in 2016 among local food environment experts, corner store owners, distributors, and wholesalers was completed with the purpose of understanding existing networks of local food distribution, and barriers to increasing food access among stakeholders in the Baltimore food environment. Primary data collection was conducted in 2020–2021 with local stakeholders (n = 10) to confirm and expand upon these findings. Results Existing community distributor partnerships with corner stores and producers contribute to local food networks. Community food distributors with an established connection to wholesalers and urban farmers offer more direct access to fresh produce, but delivery is costly for corner stores. The BUD app could facilitate the arrangement of collective delivery services between distributors, urban farmers and corner stores. Potential barriers include a lack of demand for produce from consumers and a need for community engagement to be incorporated into the app. Conclusions Our findings suggest that enhancing community partnerships is a viable method for distributing fresh foods to local corner stores in Baltimore. Further research is needed to identify ways to increase consumer demand for these foods at the corner store level, and to strengthen the local food distribution system in Baltimore. Funding Sources NHLBI, NIH, award number R34HL145368.

Community-Based Health Promotion in Occupational Therapy: Assess Before You Assess

2020 ◽  
pp. 073346482092132
Author(s):  
Sclinda L. Janssen ◽  
Marilyn Klug ◽  
Sara Johnson Gusaas ◽  
April Schmiesing ◽  
Danielle Nelson-Deering ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Low Income ◽  
The United States ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Design Data ◽  
Housing Complex

In the United States, the role of occupational therapy (OT) in provision of community-based health promotion is supported well in the literature; however, few practitioners are working in this arena. This mixed methods multiphase design study presents an example of a needs assessment process: assess before you assess. Participants included OT practitioners, residents in a low-income community housing complex, and older adult residents in another community housing complex. Methods included phenomenological and nonexperimental cross-sectional survey study design. Data analysis included coding, categorizing, and creating themes; composite scoring, Spearman correlations, and independent t tests for comparing variables. Results indicated that OT practitioners need more guidance and involvement to shift their paradigm from rehabilitation to community health promotion. Conducting needs assessments in three phases supports effective health promotion programming in community settings.

Characteristics of tobacco purchases in urban corner stores

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 592-595 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah G Lawman ◽  
Jennifer Dolatshahi ◽  
Giridhar Mallya ◽  
Stephanie Vander Veur ◽  
Ryan Coffman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Lower Cost ◽  
Tobacco Product ◽  
Health Policies ◽  
Average Amount ◽  
Tobacco Products ◽  
Public Health Policies ◽  
Corner Store ◽  
Tobacco Sales ◽  
Corner Stores

IntroductionTo examine the prevalence and patterns of tobacco purchases at low-income, urban corner stores.MethodsData on tobacco products and other purchases were collected through direct observation of customers’ purchases (n=6369) at 120 urban corner stores in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from April to September 2012.ResultsOverall 13% of corner store purchases included tobacco products. The majority (61%) of tobacco purchases did not include any other products, and 5.1% of all purchases from corner stores included a food or beverage and tobacco product. Approximately 24% of tobacco purchases were for lower-cost tobacco products such as cigars and cigarillos, and nearly 5% of tobacco purchases were an illegal purchase of a single, unpackaged tobacco product that is not intended for individual sale (ie, loosies). There was no difference in the average amount spent on food or beverages when purchased with (US$2.55, 95% CI: 2.21 to 2.88) or without (US$2.55, 95% CI: 2.48 to 2.63) tobacco products.ConclusionsIn low-income, urban corner store settings, 87% of purchases did not include tobacco; most tobacco purchases did not include the sale of non-tobacco items and spending on non-tobacco items was similar whether or not tobacco was purchased. These findings can help inform retail-level tobacco sales decisions, such as voluntary discontinuation of tobacco products or future public health policies that target tobacco sales. The results challenge prevailing assumptions that tobacco sales are associated with sales of other products in corner stores, such as food and beverages.

scholarly journals Impact of Bank Closings on Credit Extension to Businesses in Low-Income and Minority Neighborhoods

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-49
Author(s):  
Maude Toussaint-Comeau ◽  
Yi David Wang ◽  
Robin Newberger
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Bank Failures ◽  
Small Community ◽  
Community Banks ◽  
Small Business Lending ◽  
Local Areas ◽  
New Research ◽  
The Impact

New research is surfacing since the last financial crisis, not only to help predict risks associated with bank failures but also to assess the impact of bank failures on the economy and local geographies. However, although bank failures occurred mostly among small (community) banks, much less is understood regarding how the closing of mission-oriented community banks, or minority-owned banks, affect traditionally underserved markets, areas such failed banks were designed to serve. We conduct an empirical investigation testing the effects of bank closings on local areas. We find that, as a result of bank closings, there are significant frictions with small businesses obtaining credit, which appear to be potent enough to cause cumulative declines in aggregate small business lending in neighborhoods, lasting up to 3 years. We also find evidence that such lending shocks have repercussions on small business growth. We find that the closing of large banks also has an impact on small business lending, consistent with previous research, which has shown that as small businesses lose credit from large banks, they are not able to switch easily to other banks, leading to a decline in aggregate lending in local areas. We find this to be true for low- or moderate-income (LMI) and minority businesses/neighborhoods. We also find that the failure of community development financial institutions (CDFIs) and minority depository institutions (MDIs) leaves a credit void that may not automatically be filled in LMI and minority neighborhoods.

scholarly journals Promoting Small Business Support of Youth Physical Activity in Low-Income, Minority Neighborhoods: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

10.2196/13141 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. e13141
Author(s):  
Richard Robert Suminski Jr ◽  
Shannon Robson ◽  
Jennie Turner ◽  
Eric Plautz
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Small Business ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Business Support ◽  
Youth Physical Activity

Background An unacceptably high percentage of our nation’s low-income, minority youth (age<18 years) are not regularly physically active. One reason for this could be their lack of access to quality youth physical activity opportunities (YPAOs). Our previous research found that small businesses (<500 employees), which represent over 99.64% (27.9/28.0 million businesses in United States) of all employers, are powerful resources for creating and improving YPAOs. In accordance with the socioecological model and established philanthropic principles, we developed an alpha version of an intervention (alpha-i) for increasing small businesses’ involvement with YPAOs. Objective The aims of this proposed study are to (1) create a beta version (beta-i) of the intervention and (2) conduct a pilot study of its impact on small business support for YPAOs and YPAO utilization by the youth in low-income, minority neighborhoods. Methods The alpha-i will be refined using information from focus groups and surveys conducted with small business owners and managers, YPAO providers, and parents and guardians of the youths from low-income, predominantly minority neighborhoods. A cluster randomized controlled trial will then be conducted for 1 year to examine the effects of the refined intervention (beta-i) on small business support for YPAOs in 10 low-income, minority neighborhoods. The control group of neighborhoods (n=10) will be provided with a standard practice intervention. The primary outcome for aim 2 will be the percentage of small businesses not supporting YPAOs at baseline that subsequently provide support for YPAOs at follow-up. We also will consider the US dollar equivalent of all types of support (monetary, goods/services, and time) donated for YPAOs by small businesses. In addition, we will examine the impact of the increased small business support for YPAOs on YPAO utilization by the youth. Results As of May 1, 2019, all YPAOs and small businesses in the study neighborhoods have been identified, and surveys have begun with these groups. In addition, 9 focus groups were completed, and the data have been transcribed. We anticipate that manuscripts regarding these aspects of the study will be submitted in fall 2019. Conclusions The proposed study is significant because it will provide evidence that an easily replicated approach can be used to increase small business support for YPAOs and that this support results in greater use of the YPAOs by youth. A logical next step will be to determine if YPAO changes resulting from increased small business support positively influence youth physical activity levels. ClinicalTrial ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03936582; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03936582. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/13141

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