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.
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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]