Popoff health center helps patients adopt fresh fruits and vegetables in their diet through ‘Fresh Prescription’

By Carolyn Custer, D.O.
Diabetes is one of the most common and costly chronic diseases in the U.S. Individuals with diabetes are at an increased risk for coronary heart disease, stroke, hypertension, depression, pain, polypharmacy, and functional disability. Diabetes remains the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults in the United States and end-stage renal failure. Clearly, this condition is a large burden on the healthcare system.

Diabetes disproportionately affects low-income people in Detroit and Wayne County due to risk factors such as increased rates of obesity and hypertension, family history, and decreased rates of physical activity. Diabetes impacts a higher number of Blacks and Hispanic communities, and the prevalence among adults with a disability is two times those without.[1][1]

The primary interventions to treat diabetes are diet changes and increased physical activity. Diabetics in medically underserved areas may have difficulty in making these changes due to social determinants such as lack of transportation, access to adequate grocery stores and safe places to exercise. Two barriers that prevent marginalized communities from eating healthy fruits and vegetables are cost and access. One innovative means to address these barriers is the Fresh Prescription Program.

The Fresh Prescription (“Fresh Rx”) program is a fruit and vegetable prescription program in Detroit that connects healthcare providers and the food system to promote fresh produce consumption. Patients are provided a weekly stipend to purchase locally grown fruits and vegetables at a partnered Detroit Community Market. Each time a participant visits the Market, they work with a nutrition educator to set goals for healthy eating, and receive nutrition counseling, cooking demonstrations and other educational support to make meaningful diet change.

This growing season, the Authority Health Popoff Family Health Center has partnered with Genesis HOPE Community Development Corporation to participate in the Fresh Rx Program. Physicians enroll patients diagnosed with diabetes or obesity to participate in the program; patients, in turn, acquire their produce at the Islandview Farmers Market, located a mile from the health center.
Fresh Rx is a local, innovative way to provide fresh, local fruits and vegetables and critical support programming and services to patients most in need, including those with chronic disease. Initiatives such as the Fresh Rx program are integral to creating healthy communities that support healthy lifestyles, behaviors, and local food systems.

^[2][1] “The Burden of Diabetes in Michigan.” The Burden of Diabetes by State, American Diabetes Association, 2016.

Carolyn Custer, D.O., is director of Quality for the Authority Health GME Teaching Health Center program.