Tag: Produce prescriptions

According to a study published in JAMA, national implementation of medically tailored meals for high-risk individuals could save $13.6 billion annually by preventing hospitalizations. The Food is Medicine (FIM) program leverages this connection, providing food and nutrition services to prevent, manage, and treat chronic illnesses linked to diet.

According to a 2024 study, the Food Is Medicine Initiative has shown a positive impact on both food insecurity and diet-related chronic illnesses among participants. This innovative approach is transforming healthcare in the United States by recognizing the critical link between diet and health, and actively prescribing nutritious food as a form of preventive and therapeutic care.

According to a study published in *The Lancet*, dietary risk factors are attributed to one in five deaths globally, highlighting the profound impact food has on health. The food as Medicine nutrition program is an innovative approach that bridges the gap between healthcare and nutrition, utilizing tailored food interventions to prevent and manage diet-related chronic diseases.

Studies have shown that individuals experiencing food insecurity have a significantly higher probability of developing chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. Food pharmacies are a modern healthcare model that directly addresses this link by providing nutritious food, similar to how a traditional pharmacy dispenses medicine. These programs serve as vital, clinic-based interventions designed to prevent and manage diet-related conditions by giving patients access to healthy food with dignity.

According to the World Health Organization, diet-related chronic diseases, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes, are among the leading causes of mortality worldwide. The food as medicine strategy is an emerging approach that integrates nutritional interventions directly into the healthcare system to help prevent, manage, and even treat these conditions.

According to a 2017 study examining dietary risks in 195 countries, 11 million deaths were attributed to poor dietary factors. The food is medicine movement is a growing, data-backed initiative that formally links nutrition with healthcare to prevent, manage, and even treat diet-related illnesses.

An estimated 15.1 million medically tailored meals were delivered via Food is Medicine Coalition programs, indicating a significant effort to address nutrition-related health issues. Medically tailored food packages and produce prescriptions are distinct strategies used in this movement, and understanding their key differences is crucial for patients, providers, and policymakers alike.