Types Of Outlets Research Articles

Perception, Practice, Reasons, and Challenges for Drug Shortage in Community Pharmacies of Pakistan, Lahore

Medication shortages are a global issue that disrupts pharmacy services and negatively impacts patient care. The Drug Regulatory Authority Pakistan (DRAP) has set a benchmark for the drugs and medication supply committee. This study was conducted in five key regions of Pakistan and found that 55% of physicians and pharmacists encountered medication shortages. This study aimed to assess the perception, practice,reasons, and challenges for Drug Shortage in community pharmacies of Pakistan, Lahore. It is a descriptive, cross-sectional study of 471 Community Pharmacists and Technicians in Lahore. The data was collected through a comprehensive instrument designed after an extensive literature review. There were significant differences in the frequency distribution between pharmacists and technicians based on gender, marital status, area of residence, education, type of retail outlet, and working experience. Factors contributing to shortages include supply issues, misunderstandings, regulatory issues, poor inventory trends, and price spikes.

Is it time to increase the cost of tobacco licences after 10 years of stagnation?

ObjectiveReducing tobacco licences is one potential lever to reduce tobacco-related harms. A 15-fold increase in annual tobacco retailer licence fees in 2007 led to a 24% decline in the number of licences in 2009. This study investigates the changes in tobacco licences over a subsequent decade in the absence of real fee increases. MethodsThe South Australian (SA) government tobacco licencing system databases for 2009 and 2020 were audited, measuring changes in the number and distribution of tobacco and vending machine licences by outlet type, disadvantage, and remoteness. ResultsThe number of tobacco licences declined by 33.1% overall. Large reductions were observed in food service venues (65.2%) and hotel/motels (37.2%). In 2020, most licences were in service stations (25.1%), hotel/motels (22.9%), and supermarkets (22.2%). Despite proportional reductions across all disadvantage quintiles, the most disadvantaged areas continued to have the largest number of tobacco licensees. Vending machines declined by 63.6% and remained concentrated in hotels/motels (91.4%). ConclusionsSince a 15-fold licence fee increase in 2007 effectively reduced tobacco retailers from 2007-2009, the decline since has been incremental. Implications for public healthIncreasing tobacco licence fees is a straightforward and effective measure to reduce tobacco availability and should be re-prioritised.

Assessing the association between food environment and dietary inflammation by community type: a cross-sectional REGARDS study

BackgroundCommunities in the United States (US) exist on a continuum of urbanicity, which may inform how individuals interact with their food environment, and thus modify the relationship between food access and dietary behaviors.ObjectiveThis cross-sectional study aims to examine the modifying effect of community type in the association between the relative availability of food outlets and dietary inflammation across the US.MethodsUsing baseline data from the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke study (2003–2007), we calculated participants’ dietary inflammation score (DIS). Higher DIS indicates greater pro-inflammatory exposure. We defined our exposures as the relative availability of supermarkets and fast-food restaurants (percentage of food outlet type out of all food stores or restaurants, respectively) using street-network buffers around the population-weighted centroid of each participant’s census tract. We used 1-, 2-, 6-, and 10-mile (~ 2-, 3-, 10-, and 16 km) buffer sizes for higher density urban, lower density urban, suburban/small town, and rural community types, respectively. Using generalized estimating equations, we estimated the association between relative food outlet availability and DIS, controlling for individual and neighborhood socio-demographics and total food outlets. The percentage of supermarkets and fast-food restaurants were modeled together.ResultsParticipants (n = 20,322) were distributed across all community types: higher density urban (16.7%), lower density urban (39.8%), suburban/small town (19.3%), and rural (24.2%). Across all community types, mean DIS was − 0.004 (SD = 2.5; min = − 14.2, max = 9.9). DIS was associated with relative availability of fast-food restaurants, but not supermarkets. Association between fast-food restaurants and DIS varied by community type (P for interaction = 0.02). Increases in the relative availability of fast-food restaurants were associated with higher DIS in suburban/small towns and lower density urban areas (p-values < 0.01); no significant associations were present in higher density urban or rural areas.ConclusionsThe relative availability of fast-food restaurants was associated with higher DIS among participants residing in suburban/small town and lower density urban community types, suggesting that these communities might benefit most from interventions and policies that either promote restaurant diversity or expand healthier food options.

The impact of calorie labelling and proportional pricing on out of home food orders: a randomised controlled trial study using a virtual food and drink delivery app

BackgroundMandatory calorie labelling in the out-of-home food sector was introduced in England in 2022, and menu pricing strategies that ensure cost is equivalent to portion size (proportional pricing) have been proposed as a policy to reduce obesity. Food delivery app-based platforms now contribute significantly to diet, and evidence suggests that those at a socioeconomic disadvantage may have greater exposure to unhealthy options on these platforms. However, public health policies to improve nutritional quality of food ordered from food delivery apps has received limited examination.ObjectiveThis experimental study assessed the impact of calorie labelling and proportional pricing on item and meal size selection, calories ordered, and money spent when selecting food and drinks from three outlet types on a virtual delivery app.MethodsUK adult participants (N = 1126, 49% female), stratified by gender and education level completed an online study where they ordered items from three branded food and beverage outlets (coffee shop, sandwich outlet, fast food outlet) using a virtual delivery app. Participants were presented food and beverage options with vs. without calorie labels and with value (larger portions are proportionally cheaper) vs. proportional pricing.ResultsCalorie labelling did not influence portion size selection for any outlets, but significantly reduced calories ordered from the coffee shop (-18.95kcals, 95% CI -33.07 to -4.84) and fast food outlet (-54.19kcals, 95% CI -86.04 to -22.33). Proportional pricing reduced the likelihood of choosing a larger beverage from the coffee shop (OR = 0.58, 95% CI 0.45 to 0.75), but was associated with increased calories ordered from the fast food outlet (51.25kcals, 95% CI 19.59 to 82.90). No consistent interactions were observed with participant characteristics, suggesting that effects of calorie labelling and pricing on outcomes were similar across sociodemographic groups.ConclusionsCalorie labelling on food delivery platforms may effectively reduce calories ordered. Proportional pricing may be useful in prompting consumers to select smaller portion sizes, although further research in real-world settings will now be valuable.

Assessing Guidelines on the Need for Colonoscopy after Initial Flexible Sigmoidoscopy in Young Patients with Outlet-Type Rectal Bleeding.

While young age of onset colorectal cancer is increasing in incidence lack of screening leads to symptomatic presentation, often with rectal bleeding. Because most cancers in patients under 50 are left-sided, flexible sigmoidoscopy is a reasonable way of investigating bleeding in these patients. To predict which patients undergoing flexible sigmoidoscopy for outlet rectal bleeding need a full colonoscopy. Findings at colonoscopy were compared with published indications for colonoscopy after flexible sigmoidoscopy. These were: (1) Any number of advanced adenomas defined as a tubular adenoma >9 mm, a tubulovillous or villous adenoma of any size, or any adenoma with high grade dysplasia. (2) Three or more tubular adenomas of any size or histology. (3) Any sessile serrated lesion. (4) Twenty or more hyperplastic polyps. Charity Hospital with volunteer specialists. Under age 57, outlet type rectal bleeding, undergoing flexible sigmoidoscopy at least to the descending colon, followed by colonoscopy with biopsy of all resected lesions. Flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy with excision of all removable lesions. Findings at colonoscopy. 66 cases who had a colonoscopy between 5 and 811 days after sigmoidoscopy, who also had complete data. Forty-three male and 23 female with mean age of 39.5 years. Analysis of flexible sigmoidoscopy criteria for finding proximal high-risk lesions on colonoscopy showed a sensitivity of 76.9%, a specificity of 67.9%, a positive predictive value of 37%, a negative predictive value of 92.3%, and an accuracy of 69.7%. Large number of exclusions for inadequate colonoscopy or inadequate data causing reduced patient number in the study. Our criteria for follow-up colonoscopy based on the findings at initial flexible sigmoidoscopy in young patients with outlet rectal bleeding are reliable enough to be used in routine clinical practice, provided this is audited.

Alcohol outlet density and marketing in Abeokuta, Nigeria.

The physical availability of alcohol is a modifiable determinant of alcohol consumption and related harm. However, Nigeria currently does not have national regulations restricting the physical availability of alcohol. The study measured alcohol outlet density and marketing in Abeokuta, Nigeria. A descriptive community design was employed. Seven wards in Abeokuta South local government were surveyed street by street for functional alcohol outlets and nearby public institutions (schools and worship centres). Outlet characteristics were documented, and the location of outlets and public institutions was geocoded using a global positioning system app. The density and proximity of outlets and public institutions were analysed using QGIS 3.22. Four hundred and seventy-six alcohol outlets and 194 public institutions (82 schools, 87 churches, and 25 mosques) were sampled across the 7 wards. The most common type of alcohol premises and outlets was on/off-premises and liquor/non-alcoholic drinks stores. Alcohol banners on liquor store lintels were the most prevalent marketing item. Alcohol outlet density ranged from 8.06 to 200 per km2. The smallest average distance between alcohol outlets was 28 m in Sodeke, while Ago Egun/Ijesa had the highest number of outlets and on/off premises. The shortest distance from an outlet to a school was 18.77 m in Ijaiye and 44 (14.7%) schools were located within ≤100 m of an outlet. Findings indicate high alcohol density, resulting in short distances between alcohol outlets and public institutions in Abeokuta South local government area. These results underscore the importance of implementing evidence-based alcohol availability policies in Nigeria.

Local Food Environment and Consumption of Ultra-Processed Foods: Cross-Sectional Data from the Nutritionists' Health Study-NutriHS.

This study aimed to analyze whether community food environments are associated with individual food consumption among nutrition students and newly graduated nutritionists. This cross-sectional study used data from the Nutritionists' Health Study cohort, which included 357 undergraduate nutrition students from the city of Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. Exposure to the food environment was defined as the proximity and availability of food outlets within a 500 m buffer from the participants' homes. Food consumption was assessed using a Food Frequency Questionnaire and analyzed according to the NOVA classification. Multi-level linear regression models with fixed effects were used to estimate the presence of food outlets within the buffer and their association with food consumption. The presence of mini-markets in the buffer in the fourth quartile was associated with lower consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF) when observing socioeconomic and lifestyle conditions (β = -3.29; 95% CI = -6.39 to -0.19). The presence of bakeries and coffee shops was related to lower consumption of ultra-processed foods among participants when observing socioeconomic conditions (β = -3.10; 95% CI = -6.18 to -0.02). There was no clear evidence of an association between the type of food outlet and UPF consumption. The community food environment seemed to influence food consumption among study participants, although clearer and more consistent evidence on this subject is needed.

Out-of-home food environment and the COVID-19 pandemic: an interrupted time-series analysis in England 2019–2021

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the UK government introduced three waves of national lockdowns and other measures to limit the spread of the virus between 2020 and 2021. A key component of these national lockdowns required the out-of-home food sector, such as restaurants and pubs, to operate only as takeaways. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on the out-of-home food environment in England. Using monthly data collected at the local authority level between March 2019 to December 2021, we employed an interrupted time-series approach to analyze the trends of eight different types of food outlets: (1) fast food/sandwich shop; (2) pub/night club/bar; (3) restaurant/café/canteen; (4) supermarket; (5) mobile caterer; (6) other catering premise, (7) fast food chains, and (8) non-chained hot food outlets. Our findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic had heterogeneously impacted on different types of food outlets. After the easing of restrictions only restaurants, mobile caterers, pubs, and supermarkets grew, whereas fast food outlets and mobile caters did not. However, when looking at chained and non-chained fast food outlets, non-chained food outlets were more responsive to government policy during the pandemic such as the Eat Out To Help Out scheme, whereas after restrictions eased, chained outlets grew at a faster rate compared to their non-chained counterparts, but all fast food outlets had lower growth than before the pandemic. It is important to understand how the food environment is evolving and changing especially in relation to shocks such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The food environment has a direct and indirect impact on the economy and population health. Thus, it is of great value to understand how it is changing and when and where there is a role for government intervention.

Exploration of the food environment in different socioeconomic areas in Hong Kong and Singapore: a cross-sectional case study

This study explored the local food environment of Hong Kong and Singapore using a qualitative case study approach to inform future upstream public health nutrition policies. Food outlets that provide food to be eaten in the home were mapped in selected areas of high and low socioeconomic status (SES) of Hong Kong and Singapore. Food outlet density relative to land area was determined. In both countries, lower SES areas surveyed were shown to have higher food outlet density while higher SES areas had fewer but larger food outlets. In Hong Kong, both SES areas reported similar proportions of healthy and unhealthy food outlets.This study highlights the accessibility of food outlet types through their geographical location and density. Future research assessing the differences in eating culture between these two countries should be considered alongside this study’s findings, to investigate strategies influencing the food environment in order to promote healthier eating habits.

Reducing the number and types of tobacco retail outlets in the Netherlands: a comprehensive policy evaluation

Reducing the number and types of tobacco retail outlets in the Netherlands: a comprehensive policy evaluation

Reducing the number and types of tobacco retail outlets in the Netherlands: Study protocol for a comprehensive mixedmethods policy evaluation.

Clinical Trials ID NCT05554120, Protocol ID KWF140282021-2. FOIA: Freedom of Information Act. SES-WOA: socioeconomic scores of private households. MCID: minimal clinically important difference.

Contamination of beef and beef products by Listeria spp. and molecular characterization of L. monocytogenes in Mpumalanga, South Africa

AbstractThis study determined the prevalence, risk factors, and molecular characteristics of Listeria species detected in beef and beef products sampled in Mpumalanga province, South Africa. Four hundred beef and beef products were collected from 30 retail outlets in three districts (Bronkhorstspruit, Emalahleni, and Middelburg) within the province. Standard bacteriological and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were used in the study. The overall prevalence of L. monocytogenes and other Listeria spp. in the samples was 8.3% (33/400) and 30% (120/400) (p &lt; .05), respectively. For the five variables investigated, statistically significant effects were evident only for the region (p &lt; .001) and type of product (p &lt; .0001) for L. monocytogenes, the type of outlet (p = .011) and the type of product (p &lt; .0001) for Listeria spp. Of the 20 types of beef and beef products tested, 15 (75%) and 17 (85%) were contaminated by L. monocytogenes and Listeria spp., respectively (p = .429). Among the four categories of products tested, the prevalence of L. monocytogenes was 7.3% (8/109), 10.6% (11/104), 7.5% (8/106), and 7.4% (6/81) for raw beef, ready‐to‐eat (RTE) products, milled beef, and offal &amp; organs, respectively (p &gt; .799). Among the 33 L. monocytogenes isolates, PCR genoserogroup IIa (42.4%, 1/2a‐3a) was most frequently detected. All (100%) of the isolates carried one or more of the eight virulence‐associated genes assessed, with genes inlC and inlJ detected in all the isolates. The overall prevalence of L. monocytogenes (8.3%) and the high frequency of virulent serogroups of L. monocytogenes commonly associated with human listeriosis pose a food safety risk to consumers of beef and beef‐based products contaminated by L. monocytogenes.

A Cross-Sectional Evaluation of the Food Environment at an Australian University Campus.

University food environments have a strong influence on the dietary choices of students and staff. The aim of this study was to assess the food environment at a large university in Sydney, Australia. Data were collected between March and July 2022 from 27 fixed food outlets and 24 vending machines. The healthiness of the food environment was evaluated using the Healthy Food and Drink in NSW Health Facilities for Staff and Visitors Framework ('Framework'), which assesses food environment parameters including the availability, placement, and promotion of 'Everyday' (healthy) and 'Occasional' (less healthy) products. Each parameter was evaluated overall and across each food outlet type. Across all outlets, Everyday foods and drinks made up 43.9% of all products. Only two outlets met the Framework's product availability benchmark of ≥75% Everyday foods and drinks. A total of 43 outlets (84.3%) sold sugary drinks as part of their product range. Occasional products made up 68.4%, 53.3%, and 59.9% of all items for sale at checkout areas, countertops, and eye-level shelves, respectively. Finally, 79.7% of meal deals included Occasional products. Our findings highlight the need to improve the availability, placement, and promotion of foods and drinks sold at a major university campus in Sydney, Australia.

News Can Help! The Impact of News Media and Digital Platforms on Awareness of and Belief in Misinformation

Does the news media exacerbate or reduce misinformation problems? Although some news media deliberately try to counter misinformation, it has been suggested that they might also inadvertently, and sometimes purposefully, amplify it. We conducted a two-wave panel survey in Brazil, India, and the UK ( N = 4732) to investigate the effect of news and digital platform use on awareness of and belief in COVID-19 misinformation over time (January to February 2022). We find little support for the idea that the news exacerbates misinformation problems. News use broadened people's awareness of false claims but did not increase belief in false claims—in some cases, news use actually weakened false belief acquisition, depending on access mode (online or offline) and outlet type. In line with previous research, we also find that news use strengthens political knowledge gain over time, again depending on outlets used. The effect of digital platforms was inconsistent across countries, and in most cases not significant—though some, like Twitter, were associated with positive outcomes while others were associated with negative outcomes. Overall, our findings challenge the notion that news media, by reporting on false and misleading claims, ultimately leave the public more misinformed, and support the idea that news helps people become more informed and, in some cases, more resilient to misinformation.

What is the real price of SOP and OTC drugs? Pilot study on paracetamol

to investigate the actual selling prices of over-the-counter or self-medication (OTC) and non-prescription (SOP) packages of band C medicines, which are freely set by individual pharmacies, para-pharmacies, and corners of the large-scale retail trade. Specifically, the prices charged for paracetamol 500 mg 20 tablets (20 CPR) and 30 tablets (30 CPR) in the online sale, carried out by different retail outlets authorized by the Italian Ministry of Health, were surveyed. cross-sectional observational descriptive study. The availability for online purchase of one or more packages of paracetamol 500 mg 20 CPR and 30 CPR was checked for each outlet considered; for sites with at least one package available for sale, the lowest real price of each of the two packages (20 and 30 CPR) was recorded, differentiating among: 1. type of outlet (pharmacy or retail outlet); 2. originator (branded) or generic (unbranded) drug; 3. city of residence of the outlet (provincial capital city or not). the sample considered consists of 475 online retail sites (pharmacies, para-pharmacies, and large-scale retail stores) based in the 10 major Italian provincial capitals, including sites in the relevant provincial cities. the average real price, calculated as the average of all real prices recorded by packaging type; the minimum real price, i.e., or the lowest real price recorded by packaging type; the average discount, calculated as the difference between the average real price and the average value of the maximum recommended prices (set by the marketing authorization holder, AIC) for branded and unbranded packaging; the maximum discount, calculated as the difference between the minimum real price and the average value of the maximum recommended prices (set by the marketing authorization holder) for branded and unbranded packaging. a wide availability of paracetamol packages produced by multiple AIC holders (both branded and unbranded) was found in the country. The presence of several manufacturers of paracetamol 500 mg induces high price competition, as evident from the discounts given. However, discounts are very high on non-branded packs and lower on branded packs. However, analysis of consumption at the national level shows that price competitiveness does not reflect true market share competitiveness, as consumption is mainly concentrated on branded packs that have the highest prices. wide and homogeneous distribution of unbranded products from different holders is available throughout the country. These products have significantly lower prices than branded packages, and they also have heavy discounts applied (up to 70%, with minimum price per tablet going as low as 0.05 euros). However, contrary to what these premises might lead one to think, consumption is concentrated on the branded packages having the highest prices. For proper information to citizens and trade associations, it is important for the media to bring awareness of the real savings opportunities available nationwide for products of frequent and widespread use, such as the case of paracetamol 500 mg.

Influences of Urban Discharges and Urban Heat Effects on Stream Temperature

Urban areas with dark and impermeable surfaces are known to have a heating effect on air and still water compared to surrounding areas, called the urban heat island effect (UHI). UHI and stormwater discharges’ collective impact on stream temperature, especially regarding seasonal changes, is a less-studied field. In this study, the temperature effect of the urban village Aarslev on Stream Vindinge in Southern Denmark was examined. Loggers (ID A–L) were placed in Stream Vindinge in 2020–2021, measuring temperature (°C) and pressure (kPa). Outlets were analyzed with respect to origin: Direct stormwater outlets (rain ÷ basin), stormwater delayed by ponds (rain + basin), common overflow, and common sewage from WWTP. Data showed the stream temperature rise through Aarslev village in all months (except March) with 0.3–1.9 °C, most notably in the summer months. A one-way ANOVA confirmed that the upstream station A and downstream station K were significantly different (p-values &lt; 0.001). No significant difference in temperatures between the different outlet types was found. An increase in stream temperature was observed in response to rain events, followed by a temperature decrease. This was assumed to be a “first heat flush”. This was speculated to mean less optimal conditions for trout and sensitive macroinvertebrates not because of heat shock, but rather to lower O2 concentrations and higher mineralization. River and lake temperatures are projected to increase, and this effect might become more pronounced. A decrease in stream temperature was observed after the village (station L). Therefore, it was concluded that the rise in temperature through the village was due to UHI.

Associations Between COVID-19 Alcohol Policy Restrictions and Alcohol Sales in British Columbia: Variation by Area-Based Deprivation Level.

Government alcohol sales data were used to investigate associations between estimates of per capita age 15+ alcohol consumption, policy restrictiveness, and area-level deprivation. We analyzed weekly consumption data (expressed as per capita age 15+ Canadian standard drinks [13.45 g of pure ethanol]) collected from all 89 local health areas in British Columbia, Canada, between April 2017 and April 2021. Our analyses were stratified by outlet type (total, on-premise, and off-premise). Our intervention was alcohol policy restrictiveness (operationalized by the Restrictiveness of Alcohol Policy Index), and our moderator was area-level deprivation (Canadian Index of Multiple Deprivation). The Restrictiveness of Alcohol Policy Index included hours of trading, the number of people permitted on site for on-premise venues, the proportion of outlets in operation, and the extent of permissible home delivery. Higher policy restrictiveness was associated with decreased consumption across all outlet types (ps < .001): when the most restrictive policies were implemented, consumption was reduced by 9% and 100% in off- and on-premise outlets, respectively. Area-based deprivation level modified the effect of policy restriction on per capita alcohol consumption (ps < .007): for total and off-premise consumption, the decrease was greatest among more economically deprived areas (ps < .001); for on-premise outlets, areas with a high proportion of racial and ethnic minorities increased their consumption (ps < .001). Alcohol-specific policy restrictions implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with reduced consumption. However, the magnitude and direction of change was moderated by area-based deprivation level, albeit inconsistently across various deprivation measures.

A Vanishing Food Infrastructure: The Closure of Food Outlets in Flint in a Pandemic Era

Most food access studies focus on large cities, examine traditional grocery stores, and only consider operational food outlets. This siloed approach exposes a gap in food access literature. Therefore, as a part of our assessment of Flint’s food landscape, we examined closed food outlets in the city and surrounding townships. We investigated the relationship between the racial composition of census tracts and the number and type of defunct food outlets identified. We used Data Axle to collect and verify data on open and closed food outlets between September 2020 and December 2021. We made a final verification of the food outlet closures in June 2022. We used ArcGIS 10.8.1 and SPSS Version 28 to map and analyze the data. We used negative binomial regression models to determine differences in the likelihood of having an additional closed food outlet in census tracts with low and high percentages of Black residents. We also investigated the relationship between a census tract’s median income and the likelihood of having an additional closed food outlet. There were 173 closed food outlets; 81 were in Flint, and 92 were in surrounding townships. The most frequently closed food outlets were restaurants; they accounted for 45.1% of the closures. The mean number of closed food venues in census tracts where less than 40% of the residents were Black was 1.5. The mean was similar in census tracts where 40% or more of the residents were Black; it was 1.6. This difference was not significant. However, the median income of a census tract was a significant predictor of the likelihood of having an additional closed food outlet. Every one-thousand-dollar increase in median income resulted in a 2% less likelihood of having an additional closed food outlet. The results of this study show that there is more to the food landscape of a city than its operational food outlets. Focusing exclusively on active food outlets does not accurately depict a city's food infrastructure.

Analyzing differences between spatial exposure estimation methods: A case study of outdoor food and beverage advertising in London, Canada.

Exposure assessment in the context of mobility-oriented health research often is challenged by the type of spatial measurement technique used to estimate exposures to environmental features. The purpose of this study is to compare smartphone global positioning system (GPS), shortest network path mobility, and buffer-based approaches in estimating exposure to outdoor food and beverage advertising among a sample of 154 teenagers involved in the SmartAPPetite study during 2018 in London, Ontario, Canada. Participants were asked to report their home postal code, age, gender identity, ethnicity, and number of purchases they had made at a retail food outlet in the past month. During the same time period, a mobile phone application was used to log their mobility and specifically record when a participant was in close proximity to outdoor advertising. The results of negative binomial regression modelling reveal significant differences in estimates of advertising exposure, and the relationship to self-reported purchasing. Spatial exposure estimation methods showed differences across regression models, with the buffer and observed GPS approaches delivering the best fitting models, depending on the type of retail food outlet. There is a clear need for more robust research of spatial exposure measurement techniques in the context of mobility and food (information) environment research.

Using Mobile Phone Data to Assess Socio-Economic Disparities in Unhealthy Food Reliance during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: Although COVID-19 has disproportionately affected socio-economically vulnerable populations, research on its impact on socio-economic disparities in unhealthy food reliance remains scarce. Methods: This study uses mobile phone data to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on socio-economic disparities in reliance on convenience stores and fast food. Reliance is defined in terms of the proportion of visits to convenience stores out of the total visits to both convenience and grocery stores, and the proportion of visits to fast food restaurants out of the total visits to both fast food and full-service restaurants. Visits to each type of food outlet at the county level were traced and aggregated using mobile phone data before being analyzed with socio-economic demographics and COVID-19 incidence data. Results: Our findings suggest that a new COVID-19 case per 1,000 population decreased a county's odds of relying on convenience stores by 3.41% and increased its odds of fast food reliance by 0.72%. As a county's COVID-19 incidence rate rises by an additional case per 1,000 population, the odds of relying on convenience stores increased by 0.01%, 0.02%, and 0.06% for each additional percentage of Hispanics, college-educated residents, and every additional year in median age, respectively. For fast food reliance, as a county's COVID-19 incidence rate increases by one case per 1,000 population, the odds decreased by 0.003% for every additional percentage of Hispanics but increased by 0.02% for every additional year in the county's median age. Conclusion: These results complement existing literature to promote equitable food environments.