'Food deserts'―evidence and assumption in health policy making

摘要

Factoids are assumptions or speculations reported and repeated until they are considered true They are sometimes used to determine health policy when empirical information is lacking The assumption that in the United Kingdom there are poor urban areas where residents cannot buy affordable, healthy food ("food deserts") is a factoid Policy strategies to combat the existence of food deserts exemplify how factoids can influence health and social policy The burden of proof, or demand for evidence, may vary according to a policy's perceived fit within current collective world views Policy makers need to move away from unquestioning acceptance and should look at the facts more critically.