The city of Boston and Boston Medical Center have come up with a creative new way to address both health and transportation issues for low-income residents struggling with obesity.
Under the new Prescribe-a-Bike program, BMC doctors will be able to “prescribe” $5 memberships to Hubway, a bike-sharing program in the greater Boston area, to obese adults who receive public assistance or have an income that’s less than 400% of the poverty level, Beta Boston reported.
Those who qualify would get a free helmet and unlimited access to bikes at Hubway’s 90 local stations, so long as they use the bikes for 30 minutes or less.
The idea of prescribing exercise isn’t new, but this initiative adds a new layer by addressing socioeconomic factors around access to healthcare, too.
According to BostInno, obesity is nearly twice as prevalent in low-income populations in Boston, compared to higher income groups. Research has demonstrated that low-income individuals generally are less likely to receive recommended preventive care, at least in part due to various socioeconomic barriers (like unreliable transportation, for example).
It’s a small step but in the right direction toward bridging gaps in access to healthcare and resources. It would be great to see more cities follow suit.
[Image credit: @Hubway]
