AI Insight
A study by the American Cancer Society examining food access in the United States from 2003 to 2023 found that nearly five million Americans consistently lived in food deserts, defined as areas without grocery stores. These food deserts predominantly affected poor and rural communities, as well as areas dependent on public transportation. Simultaneously, the research documented a nationwide increase in food swamps, which are characterized by a high density of restaurants and fast-food establishments relative to healthy food retailers.
Why it matters
Limited access to affordable, healthy food directly impacts nutritional quality and health outcomes for millions of Americans, potentially contributing to diet-related diseases including obesity and cancer. The persistence of food deserts and expansion of food swamps highlights systemic barriers to health equity that disproportionately affect economically disadvantaged and geographically isolated populations.
Imagine not having access to affordable, healthy food. For many Americans, it’s a reality. A new study by researchers at the American Cancer Society (ACS) shows that between 2003 and 2023, nearly five million people in the United States lived in food deserts, places with no grocery stores. Most of these deserts are in poor and rural areas and in places where people rely on public transit. At the same time, the number of food swamps or areas with mostly restaurants/fast-food locations increased nationwide.