Food insecurity is associated with higher HbA1c, but living in an area with low physical food access is not, a recent study found. Therefore, food insecurity screening and interventions may help improve glycemic control for vulnerable patients. In a prospective cohort study, a random sample of patients with diabetes in a primary care network completed food insecurity assessment in 2013. Low physical food access at the census tract level was defined as no supermarket within 1 mile in urban areas and 10 miles in rural areas. HbA1c measurements were obtained from electronic health records through November 2016. 391 participants were followed for a mean of 37 months. Researchers found:

• 20% of respondents reported food insecurity, and 31% resided in an area of low physical food access.
• In adjusted models, food insecurity was associated with higher HbA1c (difference of 0.6%), which did not improve over time.
• Living in an area with low physical food access was not associated with a difference in HbA1c (difference 0.2%) or with change over time.