Improving economic access to healthy diets in first nations communities in high-income, colonised countries: a systematic scoping review
Abstract Background Affordability of healthy food is a key determinant of the diet-related health of First Nations Peoples. This systematic scoping review was commissioned by the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Women’s Council (NPYWC) in Central Australia to identify interventions to im...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Nutrition Journal |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12937-023-00895-0 |
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| author | Amanda J. Lee Lisa-Maree Herron Stephan Rainow Lisa Wells Ingrid Kenny Leon Kenny Imogen Wells Margaret Kavanagh Suzanne Bryce Liza Balmer |
| author_facet | Amanda J. Lee Lisa-Maree Herron Stephan Rainow Lisa Wells Ingrid Kenny Leon Kenny Imogen Wells Margaret Kavanagh Suzanne Bryce Liza Balmer |
| author_sort | Amanda J. Lee |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Affordability of healthy food is a key determinant of the diet-related health of First Nations Peoples. This systematic scoping review was commissioned by the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Women’s Council (NPYWC) in Central Australia to identify interventions to improve economic access to healthy food in First Nations communities in selected high-income, colonised countries. Methods Eight databases and 22 websites were searched to identify studies of interventions and policies to improve economic access to healthy food in First Nations communities in Australia, Canada, the United States or New Zealand from 1996 to May 2022. Data from full text of articles meeting inclusion criteria were extracted to a spreadsheet. Results were collated by descriptive synthesis. Findings were examined with members of the NPYWC Anangu research team at a co-design workshop. Results Thirty-five publications met criteria for inclusion, mostly set in Australia (37%) or the US (31%). Interventions (n = 21) were broadly categorised as price discounts on healthy food sold in communities (n = 7); direct subsidies to retail stores, suppliers and producers (n = 2); free healthy food and/or food vouchers provided to community members (n = 7); increased financial support to community members (n = 1); and other government strategies (n = 4). Promising initiatives were: providing a box of food and vouchers for fresh produce; prescriptions for fresh produce; provision/promotion of subsidised healthy meals and snacks in community stores; direct funds transfer for food for children; offering discounted healthy foods from a mobile van; and programs increasing access to traditional foods. Providing subsidies directly to retail stores, suppliers and producers was least effective. Identified enablers of effective programs included community co-design and empowerment; optimal promotion of the program; and targeting a wide range of healthy foods, particularly traditional foods where possible. Common barriers in the least successful programs included inadequate study duration; inadequate subsidies; lack of supporting resources and infrastructure for cooking, food preparation and storage; and imposition of the program on communities. Conclusions The review identified 21 initiatives aimed at increasing affordability of healthy foods in First Nations communities, of which six were deemed promising. Five reflected the voices and experiences of members of the NPYWC Anangu research team and will be considered by communities for trial in Central Australia. Findings also highlight potential approaches to improve economic access to healthy foods in First Nations communities in other high-income colonised countries. Trial registration PROSPERO CRD42022328326. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T12:40:05Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2386eae165284ad1973c3133682b38b8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1475-2891 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T12:40:05Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nutrition Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-2386eae165284ad1973c3133682b38b82024-01-21T12:11:32ZengBMCNutrition Journal1475-28912024-01-0123113210.1186/s12937-023-00895-0Improving economic access to healthy diets in first nations communities in high-income, colonised countries: a systematic scoping reviewAmanda J. Lee0Lisa-Maree Herron1Stephan Rainow2Lisa Wells3Ingrid Kenny4Leon Kenny5Imogen Wells6Margaret Kavanagh7Suzanne Bryce8Liza Balmer9School of Public Health, The University of QueenslandSchool of Public Health, The University of QueenslandNganampa Health CouncilAnangu research team, Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women’s CouncilAnangu research team, Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women’s CouncilAnangu research team, Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women’s CouncilAnangu research team, Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women’s CouncilNgaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women’s CouncilNgaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women’s CouncilNgaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women’s CouncilAbstract Background Affordability of healthy food is a key determinant of the diet-related health of First Nations Peoples. This systematic scoping review was commissioned by the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Women’s Council (NPYWC) in Central Australia to identify interventions to improve economic access to healthy food in First Nations communities in selected high-income, colonised countries. Methods Eight databases and 22 websites were searched to identify studies of interventions and policies to improve economic access to healthy food in First Nations communities in Australia, Canada, the United States or New Zealand from 1996 to May 2022. Data from full text of articles meeting inclusion criteria were extracted to a spreadsheet. Results were collated by descriptive synthesis. Findings were examined with members of the NPYWC Anangu research team at a co-design workshop. Results Thirty-five publications met criteria for inclusion, mostly set in Australia (37%) or the US (31%). Interventions (n = 21) were broadly categorised as price discounts on healthy food sold in communities (n = 7); direct subsidies to retail stores, suppliers and producers (n = 2); free healthy food and/or food vouchers provided to community members (n = 7); increased financial support to community members (n = 1); and other government strategies (n = 4). Promising initiatives were: providing a box of food and vouchers for fresh produce; prescriptions for fresh produce; provision/promotion of subsidised healthy meals and snacks in community stores; direct funds transfer for food for children; offering discounted healthy foods from a mobile van; and programs increasing access to traditional foods. Providing subsidies directly to retail stores, suppliers and producers was least effective. Identified enablers of effective programs included community co-design and empowerment; optimal promotion of the program; and targeting a wide range of healthy foods, particularly traditional foods where possible. Common barriers in the least successful programs included inadequate study duration; inadequate subsidies; lack of supporting resources and infrastructure for cooking, food preparation and storage; and imposition of the program on communities. Conclusions The review identified 21 initiatives aimed at increasing affordability of healthy foods in First Nations communities, of which six were deemed promising. Five reflected the voices and experiences of members of the NPYWC Anangu research team and will be considered by communities for trial in Central Australia. Findings also highlight potential approaches to improve economic access to healthy foods in First Nations communities in other high-income colonised countries. Trial registration PROSPERO CRD42022328326.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12937-023-00895-0First nations communitiesFood securityEconomic accessAffordabilityPolicyIntervention |
| spellingShingle | Amanda J. Lee Lisa-Maree Herron Stephan Rainow Lisa Wells Ingrid Kenny Leon Kenny Imogen Wells Margaret Kavanagh Suzanne Bryce Liza Balmer Improving economic access to healthy diets in first nations communities in high-income, colonised countries: a systematic scoping review Nutrition Journal First nations communities Food security Economic access Affordability Policy Intervention |
| title | Improving economic access to healthy diets in first nations communities in high-income, colonised countries: a systematic scoping review |
| title_full | Improving economic access to healthy diets in first nations communities in high-income, colonised countries: a systematic scoping review |
| title_fullStr | Improving economic access to healthy diets in first nations communities in high-income, colonised countries: a systematic scoping review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Improving economic access to healthy diets in first nations communities in high-income, colonised countries: a systematic scoping review |
| title_short | Improving economic access to healthy diets in first nations communities in high-income, colonised countries: a systematic scoping review |
| title_sort | improving economic access to healthy diets in first nations communities in high income colonised countries a systematic scoping review |
| topic | First nations communities Food security Economic access Affordability Policy Intervention |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12937-023-00895-0 |
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