New Review:
Navigating the ‘healthy food desert’

Co-written with Angela Hands*

According to The Social Market Foundation (1) - millions of UK residents live in “food deserts”—areas where poverty, poor transport, and a lack of supermarkets restrict access to affordable fresh produce.

Recent research from Tulane University (2) underscores the gravity of this issue. In a study of 1,553 patients with atrial fibrillation in New Orleans, those living in food deserts faced more than double the risk of ischemic stroke and nearly four times the risk of death compared to those in better-served areas. Even after adjusting for age, BMI, and medication use, the environment itself—specifically, access to healthy food—proved to be a decisive factor in health outcomes

Three key barriers

The Social Market Foundation’s report identifies three key barriers to healthy eating in the UK: affordability, food prices, and access to nutritious food. Many low-income households struggle with the cost of healthy groceries, which are often more expensive than processed alternatives. Regional price variations and limited access to supermarkets—especially in food deserts—further compound the issue. The report also highlights how poor transport links and reliance on costly corner shops or fast-food outlets restrict healthy choices. Addressing these barriers requires targeted policy interventions to improve affordability, availability, and education around nutritious diets.

Learning Points

1. Make the case that food deserts cause poor health outcomes
   The Tulane study shows that living in a food desert significantly increases the risk of stroke and mortality among patients with atrial fibrillation, even after controlling for individual health factors

2. Address the reality and perceptions of affordability
   Healthier foods are often more expensive per calorie than processed alternatives. Or are least, are widely perceived as such. Low-income households spend a higher proportion of their income on food, making nutritious choices financially inaccessible

3. Access Is Unequal
   Food deserts are disproportionately located in deprived areas, where poor transport and limited retail options restrict access to fresh produce. These areas are often saturated with fast-food outlets, compounding the problem

4. Community-Based Interventions Work
   Local initiatives such as cookery classes, mobile food stores, and voucher schemes have shown promise in improving diet quality and confidence in preparing healthy meals

A system-wide approach

Tackling food deserts requires whole systems to work together.  This includes planning, transport, and public health – as well as healthcare and the commercial sector. Embedding healthy food access in Local Plans, shaping development to include affordable retail, and using Section 106 or CIL for safe walking and cycling routes can make a real difference. Transport strategies—better bus links, active travel corridors, and demand‑responsive services—should be treated as health interventions. Shared mapping of deprivation, retail gaps, and travel times helps target action. Cross‑council governance and neighbourhood partnerships can deliver practical solutions, from pop‑up markets to healthy corner‑shop schemes, reducing inequalities and improving long‑term health outcomes.

My thanks to Angela Hands for co-writing this article. Angela is a Public Health Programme Manager at the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities and Honorary Associate Professor at LSHTM

References

1. What are the barriers to eating healthily in the UK? https://www.smf.co.uk/publications/barriers-eating-healthily-uk/

2. Marrouche NF, Yawn A. Living in a food desert doubles stroke risk for patients with atrial fibrillation. Tulane University News. 2025 Sep 4. Available from: https://news.tulane.edu/pr/living-food-desert-doubles-stroke-risk-patients-atrial-fibrillation