The Association Between Tribal Transit and Food Insecurity Status Among Native Americans in North Dakota

Food insecurity is a persistent problem in the U.S. that is disproportionately distributed across racial groups. Native American tribes, many located in rural areas, have high rates of food insecurity. Transportation plays a role in the limited access to food. This study focused on transportation used by Native Americans in North Dakota to access healthy foods. A survey was administered in September and October 2022. Responses from 246 Native Americans revealed that nearly 50% of the respondents have very low food security, 27% have low food security, and 25% have high or marginal food security. An ordered logit model revealed that income, food assistance programs, education, and the ability to drive to the grocery store significantly influence food security. The study found that 20% of respondents do not drive or have access to a vehicle for transportation. Native Americans in North Dakota are significantly less likely to own or have access to a vehicle. Most respondents (71%) drive to get groceries, while 27% get a ride from someone, and 21% walk. Age, income, living within walking distance of a grocery store, availability of fresh food, and living on the reservation were found to be positively associated with the likelihood of an individual eating healthy food every day.

• Record URL:
  https://www.ugpti.org/resources/reports/details.php?id=1144
• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/72870
• Summary URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/73022
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This document was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program.
• Corporate Authors:

  North Dakota State University

  Fargo, ND  United States  58108

  Mountain-Plains Consortium

  North Dakota State University
  Fargo, ND  United States  58108

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Hough, Jill
  • Mattson, Jeremy
  • Al Qublan, Hamad
  • Rahman, Baishali
• Publication Date: 2023-12

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Maps; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 71p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Access; Food; Health; Mode choice; Native Americans; Surveys; Transportation disadvantaged persons
• Geographic Terms: North Dakota
• Subject Areas: Highways; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01903514
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: MPC-23-508
• Contract Numbers: MPC-684
• Files: UTC, NTL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Dec 27 2023 12:18PM