Why Is This A Problem?

Poor diets lead to a host of adverse health consequences. When individuals don't have access to healthy, nutritious foods and are forced to buy what is available and/or what they can afford (typically 'junk food'), it takes a serious toll on their health.

People of color suffer disproportionately from diet-related health problems (heart disease, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and cancer) - http://www.foodrevolution.org/racismfoodhealth.htm

Inequities (racial/ethnic groups most affected by and concerned with this issue):

• Cancer incidence among African-Americans compared to whites in the U.S. is 26 percent greater.
• Hypertension (high blood pressure) among African-Americans compared to whites in the U.S. is 40 percent greater.
• Heart disease for Hispanic women compared to white women in the U.S. is double.
• Obesity among African-American and Mexican-American women compared to white women in the U.S. is 45 percent greater.
• Diabetes incidence among Hispanic men compared to white men in the U.S. is 53 percent greater.
• Diabetes incidence among African-American men compared to white men in the U.S. is 69 percent greater.
• Diabetes incidence among African-American women compared to white women in the U.S. is more than double.
• Diabetes incidence among Native American women compared to white women in the U.S. is more than triple.

Something is seriously wrong with this - and it's not the statistics. Our food production, distribution and access policies must change to effectively address this issue.