What you eat directly impacts your blood sugar, and eating simple carbohydrates can raise blood sugar levels.
To do this, people need access to safe, convenient, nutritious, and sufficient food.
Afood desertis an area in which people have limited access to a variety of healthy and affordable food.
Verywell / Zoe Hansen
More than 13.5 million people in the United States live in food deserts.
People with diabetes need access to healthcare services, including self-management education (self-care for your diabetes).
Many organizations provide diabetes education materials in other languages.
While many factors contribute to disease status and progression, social determinants of health play a role.
Medicare covers telehealth services for diabetes care and education,which may also be an option.
If you have private insurance or Medicare, you could call your benefits associate and request assistance.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention.National diabetes statistics report.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health.Diabetes and African Americans.
Melillo G.Recognizing the role of systemic racism in diabetes disparities.American Journal of Managed Care.
American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee.5.
Facilitating Positive Health Behaviors and Well-Being to Improve Health Outcomes: Standards of Care in Diabetes2025.Diabetes Care.
2025;48(Supplement_1):S86-S127.
Worthington A.Food insecurity: The hidden health condition.ADCES in Practice.
2020;17(19):7143. doi:10.3390/ijerph17197143
U.S. Department of Agriculture.Characteristics and influential factors in food deserts.
2021;106(4):e1909-e1916.
