Food Insecurity Defined by Racial Disparities Across the Country

An analysis of community-dwelling individuals in the US, published in JAMA Health Forum, has found that racial disparities continued from 2000 through 2023 when it came to food insecurity, regardless of income level.¹ The analysis demonstrates that work continues to be needed to close these gaps in food insecurity, which is usually defined as having limited or uncertain access to adequate quality food.² Food insecurity has been linked to other health issues, including chronic diseases, mental health issues, and obesity.

This study aimed to expand on previously published data that has linked race and income to food insecurity.¹ The researchers looked to supply more evidence on whether disparities in income explain the racial differences in food insecurity or if it is other factors that lead to disparities in racial groups at all income levels.

The researchers used the Current Population Survey (CPS), which is a database that recruits a nationally representative sample of community-dwelling individuals each year. Those included in the database are living in the US and are aged 16 years and older. This present study included the data from the CPS Food Security Supplement from 2000 to 2023 in houses that had data through the US Department of Agriculture’s food security model.

Food insecurity was defined as any house that had 3 or more food-insecure conditions. Households that had a household income lower than 185% of the federal poverty line were considered to be low-income. Use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the past year was also recorded.

Higher- and low-income households continued to see racial disparities in food insecurity as households that were entirely Black, Native American, or multiracial had higher rates of food insecurity compared with other ethnic groups. A higher prevalence of food insecurity was found in low-income households compared with high-income households.

Up to 16.6% (95% CI, 14.3%-18.8%) of high-income Black households experienced food insecurity compared with 4.7% (95% CI, 3.1%-6.3%) of high-income Asian and Pacific Islander households in 2023. Black households continued to have higher food insecurity compared with Asian and Pacific Islander households at lower-income levels as well (38.2% [95% CI, 35.0%-41.4%] vs 17.6% [95% CI, 13.0%-22.1%]). Native American households had the highest risk ratio (RR) of food insecurity compared with Asian and Pacific Islander households in low-income households (RR, 2.44). There was not a persistent pattern of racial disparities between SNAP participants and nonparticipants.

The researchers concluded by showing that disparities were intersectional through the 23 years between 2000 and 2023 despite policy changes and economic changes. “Further research is needed, particularly among Native American individuals, who consistently experienced high rates of food insecurity but have limited data, and multiracial households, who represent a highly heterogeneous group,” the authors wrote.

Documenting these disparities remains important to pinpoint areas that continue to need attention. The researchers note that, with these disparities happening despite income level, underlying discrimination and differential impacts on racialized groups should be further considered by cash and in-kind policies moving forward.

References

1. Kwon C, Liu Y, Crews DC, Kim B, Stuart EA, Samuel LJ. Racial disparities in food insecurity for high- and low-income households. JAMA Health Forum. 2026;7(3):e256935. doi:10.1001/jamahealthforum.2025.6935
2. Santoro C. Addressing food insecurity to improve physical, mental health outcomes. AJMC^®. November 28, 2024. Accessed March 5, 2026. https://www.ajmc.com/view/addressing-food-insecurity-to-improve-physical-mental-health-outcomes