Work

Can digitalization improve the equality and equity of food environment? Evidence from greengrocers in central Shanghai

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Introduction: Online food shopping has a profound impact on people's food acquisition behavior, the current study aims to understand how online food shopping may affect the accessibility of the local food environment and further influence the health equity among different populations. Methods: Taking 8512 traditional and online greengrocers in central Shanghai as an example, this paper uses Gini coefficient, location quotient and spatial clustering method to compare the equality and equity of food environment between physical and digital food outlets. Results: It finds that spatial equality is more significantly improved as a result of online food stores than are population equality and social equity of the food environment; older populations are not disadvantaged in terms of healthy food access but lower-income people are; the impact of online stores varies for different regions and different types of stores; depot-based stores have the most positive impact on health equity. Discussion: Policy implications are discussed to promote the environmental justice of healthy food accessibility.

Source: Frontiers in Nutrition

DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1452817

Authors: Zhongyu He, Xiaoxu Chen

Institution: Nanjing University

Language: English

Topic: Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Zero hunger, Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,295