We're using this as an open discussion thread for new ideas, best practices,and general questions related to farmers markets.
An interesting (but not altogether surprising) third party use of what I'm guessing was data available through the Food Environment Atlas. Check out the graphic at http://www.practicefusion.com/images/infographic3.png?utm_source=PRNewswireutm_medium=pressreleaseutm_campaign=BMIDataInfographic
Infographic: Farmers Market Availability Tied to Lower BMI
Practice Fusion's Research Division identifies correlation between BMI data and key health indicators; releases infographic on obesity trends.
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SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 1, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The availability of farmer's markets is associated with lower Body Mass Index (BMI), according to data from Practice Fusion's Research Division, a program launched by the free, web-based Electronic Health Record (EHR) company to analyze public health trends. The study also found that fruit consumption is tied to healthier BMI levels. In this report, BMI data was correlated with other key health indicators such as region, age, gender, income and education level.
Key findings from the BMI analysis:
• View Practice Fusion's BMI Infographic
• Increased farmers' market availability correlates with lower BMI
• Increased fresh fruit consumption also appears to be associated with lower BMI
• There is a correlation between BMI and prevalence of diabetes
• Above-average regional BMI is tied to lower life expectancy at birth
"As a family practice physician, I have a first-hand view of the devastating impact that obesity can have on patients," said Robert Rowley, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Practice Fusion. "The promise of improved quality of life can unfold much faster than ever before with fast, secure, electronic health data enabling our understanding of disease and how best to treat these conditions."
Practice Fusion and Microsoft Windows Azure are currently inviting data analysis teams to participate in the Analyze This! challenge hosted by Health 2.0. With free access to a de-identified health dataset, researchers can conduct rapid analysis of health trends similar to the BMI report issued today, including further study of the relationships between BMI and availability of fast food establishments, social welfare programs and incidence of other diseases.
The Practice Fusion BMI analysis used 72,000 de-identified records from a national sample of adult patients (age >18 years). Reporters interested in accessing additional insights or health datasets are invited to contact hphung@practicefusion.com.
About Practice Fusion's Research Division
Practice Fusion's Research Division provides information from one of the largest, longitudinal clinical databases in the US for the purposes of clinical research and public health analysis. With a focus on real-time insight into adverse drug reactions, disease outbreaks and other national health issues, Practice Fusion's Research Division powers studies that are providing new insight into healthcare and how it is delivered. All research information utilized is fully de-identified and compliant with HIPAA cfr 164.514. For more information, please visit http://www.practicefusion.com/research.
Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link.
Robert Rowley, MD
http://www.profnetconnect.com/robert_rowley_md
Press Contact
Helen Phung
San Francisco: 415.992.7726
helen@practicefusion.com
http://www.practicefusion.com/images/infographic3.png?utm_source=PRNewswireutm_medium=pressreleaseutm_campaign=BMIDataInfographic
Posted by: Virginia Clarke | 02/03/2011 at 07:49 PM
There are many great resources related to farmers market at the Farmers Market Coalition
check out:
www.farmersmarketcoalition.org
Stacy M. Miller
Executive Director
Farmers Market Coalition
stacy@farmersmarketcoalition.org
Office: 410-667-0583
Posted by: Virginia Clarke | 02/03/2011 at 07:51 PM
Great resources! Thanks for getting the topic started, Virginia.
Posted by: Jeff Mansour | 02/04/2011 at 09:23 AM