Mapping rural food poverty: The impact of rurality on consumers' access to food using an ‘at risk of food poverty index’
本研究开发了‘食物贫困风险指数’，结合地理信息系统分析北爱尔兰城乡食物可负担性、可及性和可获得性的差异，发现农村居民在获取营养充足饮食方面面临更大劣势，为政策制定者提供了精准识别脆弱区域的高分辨率模型。
Food poverty (the inability to access sufficient, healthy food in a socially acceptable way) is a complex and multifaceted problem that is receiving considerable public and political attention. This research examined the structural causes of food poverty to determine if geographical disparities exist between rural and urban locations, in respect of food affordability, accessibility and availability, in the study region of Northern Ireland. This study developed an ‘At Risk of Food Poverty Index’ and utilised Geographic Information Systems to apply spatial analysis techniques to identify Census Small Areas at greatest potential risk of food poverty. The research found exposure to geographic variances in relation to food access impacts on food poverty risk. Results showed spatial variations exist in relation to rural and urban food poverty and rural dwellers face greater disadvantage in obtaining nutritionally adequate diets. The Index provides policymakers with a high-resolution model from which to target resources to vulnerable areas.