Food Deserts

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), including heart disease and stroke, is the leading cause of death in the United States, producing an immense health and economic burden. An estimated 92.1 million US adults are diagnosed with at least one type of CVD, and a projected 43.9% of US adults will have some form of CVD by 2030. One of the primary reasons for the continued high burden of CVD is the persistent and even increasing degrees of obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. To a large extent, these major risk factors are driven by poor nutrition from an increase in the consumption of processed foods high in sodium, refined carbohydrates, and saturated fat. Unfortunately, all US populations do not have the same levels of access to healthy foods, especially in certain socially and economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. Contributors of CVD inequalities include race, ethnicity, social support, culture and language, access to care, and residential environment. These social determinants of health influence overall health and CVD outcomes.