Social inequities in food deserts and food swamps in a northeastern Brazilian capital.

This study identified food deserts and swamps, investigating their associations with socioeconomic and demographic conditions. This ecological study was conducted using data from urban census tracts in the city of Recife, which were considered the unit of analysis. Information on food retail was obtained from government sources in 2019. Census tracts below the 25th percentile in the density of healthy food retail (i.e., those that predominantly sell natural or minimally processed foods, mixed businesses, and super- and hypermarkets) were classified as food deserts. Census tracts above the 25th percentile in the density of unhealthy food retail (i.e., those selling primarily ultra-processed foods) were considered food swamps. The socioeconomic and demographic conditions of the census tracts were evaluated using variables from the 2010 census (per capita income, average income, race, literacy of the head of household, and the availability of essential services) and the Health Vulnerability Index. Census tracts considered food deserts (28.5%) were more vulnerable, characterized by lower income and access to essential services, more illiterate residents and more minorities (Black/Indigenous/mixed race). Food swamps (73.47%) were more prevalent in less vulnerable neighbourhoods characterized by higher percentages of literate residents and Whites, greater purchasing power, and better basic sanitation. The characteristics of Recife's food deserts and swamps demonstrate social inequalities in the food environment. Public facilities could play a vital role in promoting healthy eating within food deserts. Additionally, future implementation of taxes on ultra-processed foods and the provision of tax subsidies to natural or minimally processed food sellers might contribute to fostering healthier dietary choices.

Social and ethnic-racial inequities of physical accessibility to street markets in Porto Alegre/RS, Brazil

Street markets in Brazil are important spaces for the commercialization of fruits and vegetables (FV), which access by the urban population is considered one of the key aspects for the socalled "healthy cities". This study adopts an ecological approach with geographic-spatial emphasis to describe accessibility to street markets in Porto Alegre, Brazil, by four different modes of transport (walking, bicycle, bus and car). The distribution of markets across the city is more balanced than other food establishments, although physical accessibility is highly uneven across modes of transport: the ability to reach a market on foot in 10 minutes or less is restricted to no more than 25 % of the population, while almost 90% can do it by driving a car. More importantly, the study found a direct and positive association between levels of accessibility to street markets and income: wealthier areas can reach fairs in less time using any mode of transport than poorer ones (p<0.001). In addition, regions with a majority of white inhabitants have significantly better accessibility to the fairs on foot, by bicycle and by bus (p<0.01) than regions with a majority of Black, Indigenous or yellow populations. Our study highlights the importance of addressing inequalities in access to healthy foods.

As feiras livres no Brasil são espaços importantes para a venda de frutas, verduras e legumes (FLV), considerados um dos aspectos-chave para "cidades saudáveis". Este estudo adota uma abordagem ecológica com ênfase geográfico-espacial para descrever a acessibilidade às feiras livres em Porto Alegre, Brasil, por quatro modos de transporte (a pé, bicicleta, ônibus e carro). A distribuição das feiras pela cidade é mais equilibrada do que outros estabelecimentos de alimentos, embora a acessibilidade física seja altamente desigual entre os diferentes modos de transporte: a capacidade de alcançar uma feira a pé em 10 minutos ou menos é restrita a menos de 25% da população, enquanto quase 90% podem fazê-lo dirigindo um carro. Mais importante, o estudo encontrou uma associação direta e positiva entre os níveis de acessibilidade às feiras e a renda: as localidades mais ricas podem chegar às feiras em menos tempo usando qualquer modo de transporte do que as mais pobres (p<0,001). Além disso, regiões com maioria de habitantes brancos têm acessibilidade significativamente melhor às feiras a pé, de bicicleta e de ônibus (p<0,01) do que regiões com maioria de população negra, indígena ou amarela. Nosso estudo destaca a importância de abordar as desigualdades no acesso aos alimentos saudáveis.

Círculo de Cultura como estratégia de promoção da saúde: encontros entre educação popular e interdisciplinaridade / Culture Circle as a strategy to promote health: encounters between popular education and interdisciplinarity

RESUMO A promoção da saúde é uma estratégia de cuidado da Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS) que deve entender a saúde como dinâmica sócio-histórica atravessada por determinantes sociais. Além disso, a APS tem o intuito de promover a qualidade de vida, reduzindo vulnerabilidades e riscos à saúde relacionados com os seus determinantes e condicionantes. Nos territórios em saúde, existem grupos que necessitam de busca ativa e atenção integral dos serviços de saúde devido à sua condição de vulnerabilidade. Este relato de experiência apresenta o uso do Círculo de Cultura, proposto por Paulo Freire, como ferramenta para a aproximação entre profissionais de saúde e um agrupamento de famílias em situação de vulnerabilidade no contexto do território de uma unidade de saúde periférica situada em uma capital na região Sul. A estratégia promoveu o fortalecimento do vínculo entre trabalhadores e usuários, ampliando o empoderamento, o acesso à saúde e à dignidade, concomitantemente ao envolvimento dos profissionais da equipe com a Educação Popular em Saúde.

ABSTRACT Health promotion is a care strategy in Primary Health Care (PHC) that must see health as a social-historic dynamic permeated by social determinants. Moreover, PHC aims to promote the quality of life, reducing vulnerabilities and health risks related to determinants and conditions of health. There are groups in health territories that require actively search and integrative care of health services, due to their condition of vulnerability. This experience report presents the use of Culture Circle, as proposed by Paulo Freire, as a tool for health professionals to approach a family agroupment in a vulnerability situation in the territory of a Health Care Unit located in the peripherical region of a city in the south of Brazil. This strategy strengthens the bond between health workers and patients, amplifying empowerment and access to health and dignity, concurrently to the involvement of team workers with Popular Education in Health.