A new review of recent research shows that millions of Americans don’t have reliable access to nutritious food, and this problem is getting worse. The study found that when people can’t afford healthy food, they’re more likely to develop serious health problems like heart disease, obesity, and depression. The research also discovered that the government’s farm policies actually make this problem worse by supporting cheap, processed foods instead of fresh fruits and vegetables. The good news? Programs like food stamps (SNAP) and WIC help, but they need to be stronger. Experts say the U.S. needs to change its food policies to make healthy eating affordable for everyone.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How government food policies and farm subsidies affect whether Americans can afford healthy food, and how this impacts their health
  • Who participated: This wasn’t a study of specific people—instead, researchers reviewed hundreds of existing studies and government reports about food insecurity, farm policies, and health outcomes across the United States
  • Key finding: People who struggle to afford food eat lower-quality diets and have much higher rates of heart disease, obesity, and mental health problems. Meanwhile, government farm subsidies make cheap, processed foods more affordable than fresh produce, making the problem worse
  • What it means for you: If you or your family struggles with food costs, know that this is a policy problem, not a personal failure. Current assistance programs help but aren’t enough. Supporting policy changes that make healthy food more affordable could improve your family’s health and reduce medical costs over time

The Research Details

This is a narrative review, which means researchers read through hundreds of recent scientific studies and government reports about food insecurity, nutrition policies, and health. Instead of conducting their own experiment, they looked for patterns and connections across all this existing research to understand the bigger picture. The researchers focused on studies published in recent years, especially looking at what happened during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, when food insecurity got worse. They examined how three main things work together: whether people can afford food, what they actually eat, and what health problems they develop.

A narrative review is useful when you want to understand a complicated problem that involves many different factors working together. In this case, food insecurity isn’t just about hunger—it’s connected to farm policies, food prices, government assistance programs, and health outcomes all at the same time. By reviewing all the recent research together, scientists can see the whole picture and identify what policies might actually help

This review was published in a respected nutrition science journal and draws from peer-reviewed studies and official government reports, which makes it reliable. However, because it’s a review of other studies rather than original research, it depends on the quality of those studies. The researchers were transparent about what they found and what still needs to be studied. This type of review is especially useful for informing policy decisions

What the Results Show

The research identified three major findings. First, food insecurity—not having reliable access to enough food—is strongly connected to eating lower-quality diets and developing serious health problems. People who struggle to afford food have higher rates of heart disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and depression compared to people with food security. These health problems can start in childhood and continue throughout life. Second, the U.S. government’s farm subsidies (money given to farmers) mostly support crops used to make cheap, processed foods like corn, soy, and wheat. Meanwhile, fruits and vegetables get much less support, making them more expensive. This creates a situation where unhealthy food is cheaper than healthy food, which makes it harder for low-income families to eat well. Third, while government assistance programs like SNAP (food stamps) and WIC (a program for pregnant women and young children) do help reduce hunger, they don’t fully solve the problem because they don’t address the underlying issue that healthy food costs too much in the first place.

The review also found that food insecurity affects certain groups more than others. Low-income households, communities of color, and rural areas have higher rates of food insecurity. The problem got worse during the COVID-19 pandemic and hasn’t fully recovered. Additionally, the research shows that even when people have some money for food, the choices available to them in their neighborhoods often don’t include fresh, healthy options. This is especially true in low-income areas, which sometimes lack grocery stores with fresh produce

This review confirms what previous research has shown: food insecurity and poor diet quality are connected to chronic diseases. However, it adds new insight by showing how government policies actually make this problem worse rather than better. Previous studies focused mainly on the health effects of food insecurity, but this review emphasizes that the real solution requires changing the policies that make healthy food expensive in the first place. The research also reflects the current moment—with the 2025 Farm Bill being reauthorized, this is a timely reminder that policy choices matter for public health

This is a review of other studies, not original research, so it’s only as good as the studies it reviews. Some important research areas may not have enough studies yet. The review focuses mainly on U.S. policies, so findings may not apply to other countries. Additionally, while the research clearly shows connections between food insecurity and health problems, proving that one directly causes the other is complicated because many factors affect health. Finally, this review doesn’t provide detailed information about which specific policy changes would work best, though it suggests some directions

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, experts recommend: (1) Increasing support for growing fruits and vegetables instead of just commodity crops—this would make healthy food more affordable; (2) Expanding and strengthening SNAP and WIC programs so they provide more help; (3) Supporting policies that make it easier for people to buy fresh food in their communities; (4) Treating food insecurity as a serious public health issue, not just a poverty issue. These recommendations have moderate to strong evidence supporting them, though more research on specific policy changes would be helpful

Everyone should care about this issue because it affects public health and healthcare costs for the whole country. If you’re struggling with food costs, this research validates that the problem is systemic and not your fault. If you work in healthcare, public health, or policy, this research shows why addressing food insecurity is important for preventing chronic diseases. If you’re interested in food policy or social justice, this research shows how government decisions directly impact people’s health. People who are well-fed and have stable incomes should care because they likely pay higher taxes to cover healthcare costs related to preventable diseases caused by food insecurity

Changes from policy reforms would take time to show up in people’s health. If the government changed farm subsidies tomorrow, it might take 6-12 months for food prices to shift noticeably. Health improvements would take longer—probably 1-3 years to see changes in weight and blood sugar levels, and 5-10 years to see major reductions in heart disease and other chronic diseases. However, people would likely feel better (less stress, better energy) much sooner if they had reliable access to healthy food

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your weekly spending on fresh produce versus processed foods. Set a goal to gradually increase the percentage of your food budget spent on fruits, vegetables, and whole foods. Use the app to log prices you see at different stores to find the most affordable options in your area
  • Use the app to find local resources like food banks, farmers markets with discount programs, and SNAP-eligible stores near you. Set reminders to check if you qualify for SNAP, WIC, or other assistance programs. Create a meal plan feature that shows you how to make healthy meals within your actual food budget
  • Track not just what you eat, but also your food security—how often you worry about affording food, how often you run out of money for groceries, and how this affects your stress levels. Monitor any changes in energy levels, sleep quality, and mood as you gain more stable access to food. Over time, track health markers like weight and blood pressure if you have access to measure them

This review summarizes research about food insecurity and nutrition policy but is not medical advice. If you’re struggling to afford food, contact your local food bank, call 211, or visit SNAP.nal.usda.gov to apply for assistance programs. If you have health concerns related to diet or nutrition, speak with your doctor or a registered dietitian. Policy recommendations in this article represent expert consensus but require legislative action to implement. Individual health outcomes depend on many factors beyond food access, including genetics, healthcare access, and other social factors.