A Growing Opportunity: Community Gardens Affiliated with US Hospitals and Academic Health Centers.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Community gardens can reduce public health disparities through promoting physical activity and healthy eating, growing food for underserved populations, and accelerating healing from injury or disease. Despite their potential to contribute to comprehensive patient care, no prior studies have investigated the prevalence of community gardens affiliated with US healthcare institutions, and the demographic characteristics of communities served by these gardens.

Methods

In 2013, national community garden databases, scientific abstracts, and public search engines (e.g., Google Scholar) were used to identify gardens. Outcomes included the prevalence of hospital-based community gardens by US regions, and demographic characteristics (age, race/ethnicity, education, househo

SUBMITTER: George DR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4295719 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature