NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Health Department is proud to announce the publication of two pivotal reports that shed light on the pressing issues of chronic disease and food insecurity in our community and their disproportionate impact on communities of color.
“These reports are intended to build a common understanding of the prevalence of food insecurity and chronic disease in New Orleans, and highlight the critical link between the two issues,” said Jeanie Donovan, NOHD’s Deputy Director of Population Health and Chronic Disease. “The reports also highlight how the neighborhoods and environments where New Orleanians live, work, and play impact their health outcomes and drive health disparities.”
The first report, “The State of Chronic Disease in New Orleans,” includes the first public release of new data provided to NOHD through a partnership with the Louisiana Public Health Institute, which includes timely, regularly updated, zip code level data on specific chronic diseases derived from electronic medical records. Using the data, the report highlights the concerning prevalence of chronic diseases in New Orleans, including hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. It emphasizes how these conditions disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, particularly communities of color and those with limited access to healthcare. Depending on the zip code, up to 18% of observed patients have type 2 diabetes, 48% have hypertension, and 37% are obese. It’s important to note that many people may not seek medical attention or be aware of their conditions, so the actual numbers may be even higher, especially for hypertension. By analyzing social determinants such as income, education, and neighborhood environments, the report points out the structural barriers that contribute to these health inequities and disproportionally affect people of color in New Orleans. The new ability to look at chronic disease by zip code in this report can help guide local leaders as they develop policy recommendations, allocate resources, and work to address health disparities in the city. The report will also serve as a valuable resource for residents and stakeholders who want to understand the widespread impact of chronic disease on the city’s health.
The second report, “Making Groceries: Food and Nutrition Insecurity in Orleans Parish,” offers a detailed analysis of the causes of food insecurity and the impact it has on health and wellbeing in New Orleans. It presents a persuasive narrative backed by statistical data, demonstrating the link between access to healthy food and the frequency of long-term illnesses. This overview not only acts as an analytical summary but also serves as a valuable guide, directing New Orleanians to a range of available resources for those requiring assistance. The most recent Parish-level data available, from Feeding America’s ‘Map the Meal Gap’, reveals that . What’s more, a large portion of residents who are likely eligible for food assistance do not currently receive SNAP benefits. According to the Department of Children and Family Services, only 65.3% of families who are income eligible for SNAP are enrolled in the program. To address these challenges, the report offers several key recommendations: increasing investment in benefits like SNAP, supporting local food access organizations, incentivizing the sale of healthy foods in underserved areas, integrating food access into healthcare settings, and enhancing direct services like food pantries and farmers markets across the city in underserved areas of the city.
Together, these reports emphasize the Health Department’s commitment to combating chronic disease through a comprehensive approach that considers the full range of issues contributing to health disparities. By highlighting the connection of food security and health, the New Orleans Health Department aims to encourage a more informed public discourse and inspire unified effort towards creating a healthier, more equitable city for all residents.
The reports are available for review and download on the New Orleans Health Department’s website at nola.gov/health.
New Orleans Health Department Mission: To promote, protect, and improve the health of all in our community through equitable policies, programs, and partnerships.
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