Study Links Dollar Store Groceries to Increased Health Risks

A new study from the University of California, Riverside, published in BMC Public Health on August 18, 2026, links higher access to dollar store groceries with increased rates of obesity, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes across United States metropolitan areas.

Lead author Ryan Bruellman analyzed public health data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 500 Cities Project alongside mapping software to evaluate store proximity and social vulnerability indices across 34,000 retail locations nationwide, including Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, and the 99 Cents Only store.

The research revealed that while conventional supermarkets were associated with better health metrics, dollar stores stocking highly processed items dominant in sodium and added sugars negatively impacted community health, particularly in the South and Midwest where dollar store ratios approach 50 percent of food outlets.

"I want to raise awareness that higher grocery costs are pushing people to buy highly processed, lower quality food at dollar stores, and it is negatively impacting their health in a similar way to fast food," said Ryan Bruellman, UCR genetics, genomics & bioinformatics doctoral student and study first author.

Bruellman noted that nationwide retail counts now favor discount chains over traditional supermarkets in many regions.

"Across the U.S. there are more dollar stores than traditional grocery stores," Bruellman said.

Despite their role in food supply, administrative classifications currently prevent these chains from being tracked as standard food markets.

To mitigate these health outcomes, the author suggested incorporating fresh local produce inside discount chains or positioning farmers markets and food banks closer to existing stores.

"Ideally you’d have the healthier options available inside the dollar store," Bruellman said.

He added that city planners should explore broader approaches to local food infrastructure.

"Traditionally, famers markets are often in areas that are farther from dollar stores. Placing them closer to the stores, meeting people where they are could improve access," he said.

The researcher emphasized the need for policy adjustments regarding urban food access.

"The overarching thing is we shouldn’t think of traditional grocery stores as the only places to get food. People need to look beyond that," Bruellman said.