Health Equity Timeline of MetroWest | Leverage The Power of Our Past

Throughout the 20th century, the Irish community in Framingham integrates more fully into American society, yet distinct health challenges related to lifestyle and dietary changes emerged. The shift from a traditional Irish agrarian diet to an American diet high in saturated fats and processed foods led to increased rates of heart disease, stroke, and celiac disease among Irish-Americans. The community’s response involved promoting traditional cooking and eating habits, which reinforced cultural identity and provided a counterbalance to new health risks.

Sources

https://www.framingham.edu/Assets/uploads/academics/colleges/science-technology-engineering-and-mathematics/food-and-nutrition/_documents/ireland.pdf http://www.irishheritagetrail.com/massachusetts/ https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/newsroom/facts-for-features/2015/cb15ff.04_stpatricksday.pdf https://www.framingham.edu/academics/colleges/arts-and-humanities/english/programs/minors/irish-studies-minor https://www.facebook.com/framinghamhistory/photos/a.481343904871/10158300928649872/?type=3 https://www.framingham.com/history/histtime.htm#google_vignette https://joekinsella.me/2023/03/boston-irish-history-walk/

Irish community Continues Integrating into American Culture