Identifying areas of high vulnerability for rural veteran food insecurity

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES: Americans, including veterans, living in rural areas experience higher rates of food insecurity than the general population in the United States, but rural veteran food insecurity remains an understudied subject. Due to a lack of data on the subject, this project aimed to use geographic information systems (GIS) mapping of proxy variables for rural veteran food insecurity in order to identify areas of high vulnerability where future research could be targeted. 

METHODS: Key factors which may indicate vulnerability to rural veteran food insecurity were identified in a review of the literature. These factors were mapped in ArcGIS Pro, including veteran population, community health, county rurality, and locations of food deserts. 

RESULTS: After areas were identified that met search criteria, 3 sites were identified which serve a highly rural patient population and whose population has the highest vulnerability to rural veteran food insecurity based on search criteria. 

CONCLUSIONS: This project demonstrates how GIS mapping can be used to identify regions in the United States at high vulnerability for rural veteran food insecurity. Findings from this project will be used by the project team to develop interventions for rural veteran food insecurity which can be implemented at the local or national level.