Determinants of Risks for Foodborne Illness Associated with Populations of Different Races and Socioeconomic Status

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Evidence indicates that individuals of low socioeconomic status and minority racial/ethnic groups may suffer greater rates of foodborne illness. Because of the way data has historically been collected and categorized with respect to foodborne illness, however, it is not possible to say with certainty at this time why this might be. There is a need to explore the increased risks from foodborne illness that populations of different demographics might experience. This project would examine a number of parameters to determine whether individuals of a particular socioeconomic status or racial/ethnic background are at greater risk for foodborne illness based on their retail food purchasing options or experience greater incidence of foodborne illness based on current reporting data analyzed specifically with respect to socioeconomic status and race.

<P>APPROACH: Census tracts within the city of Philadelphia will be identified and characterized in order to include the populations we propose to study. For each racial, ethnic and socioeconomic status group, we will identify census tracts which represent a high (>50%) population of that race, ethnicity or socioeconomic status. Within those census tracts we will identify retail food facilities to will be sampled and surveyed. Objective 1 - Evaluation of risks associated with corner markets will be accomplished by a combination of microbiological sampling of potentially hazardous foods from the stores and the auditing of the stores utilizing a tool to standardize observations made. Objective 2 - Evaluation of Risks Associated with Fast Food,Takeout Food Service Facilities, will be accomplished by a combination of microbiological sampling of potentially hazardous foods as well as tracking of safety inspection records for the facilities identified in the census tracts. A Geographic Information System (GIS) will be utilized to meet Objective 3 and the risks identified in Objectives 1 and 2 will be mapped to determine whether populations in census tracts of different demographics are exposed to different risks for foodborne illness. Objective 4 - Determination of relative rates of foodborne illness in census tracts of different socioeconomic and racial/ethnic composition, will be accomplished by working with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health to obtain rates of illnesses commonly considered foodborne, to the level of the census tracts which are being sampled and surveyed in Objectives 1 and 2. The overall goal of the statistical analysis of the data will be to identify independent risk factors for high levels of contamination in food markets and food service facilities, both at the individual and the census-tract level. We will also examine how well these risk factors correlate with census-tract level reporting of foodborne illness cases.<P>

PROGRESS: 2007/09 TO 2008/08<BR>
OUTPUTS: Activities: Census tracts representing a range of races and ethnicities have been identified and retail food outlets within those census tracts have been randomly chosen and have begun to be visited. Recording of temperatures, high risk practices, and microbiological sampling is occurring with the ultimate goal of comparing risks found in facilities in the tracts of different demographics. Data from the Philadelphia Department of Public Health regarding critical code violations in food retail facilities throughout the city of Philadelphia has been geocoded and analysis of risks for populations of different demographics within the city using GIS mapping is ongoing. Philadelphia Department of Public Health data on rates of foodborne illness at the census tract level has been obtained and analyzed to determine whether populations of different races/ethnicities and/or socioeconomics status suffer from foodborne illnesses at different rates. Products: Two Masters of Public Health students graduated in June, 2008 using activities described above as the basis for their Community Based Research Projects. <BR> PARTICIPANTS: Jennifer Quinlan served as P.I. and mentor to the graduate student and technician working on this project. She also served at preceptor to the two Masters of Public Health students who worked on this project. She oversaw and had input into all aspects of the research being performed. Alison Evans served as Co-P.I. on the project and as advisor to the two Masters of Public Health students. She participated in data analysis and selection of appropriate census tracts and retail markets. Renata Jacob was a graduate student working on the project and was involved in audit tool validation as well as ongoing retail facility sampling and auditing and microbiological analysis of samples taken. Valerie Darcey was a Technician working on this project and was involved in audit tool validation, ongoing retail facility sampling and auditing and GIS mapping of Philadelphia Dept. of Public Health data on critical code violations. <BR> <BR>
IMPACT: 2007/09 TO 2008/08<BR>
This research has identified high risk products and practices associated with minority ethnic retail markets, particularly those of Asian ethnicity. It has also resulted in analysis of data indicating differences in rates of foodborne illness among populations of different racial, ethnic and socioeconomic make up.