Food as Medicine research and programs gain renewed support from Rockefeller Foundation

By Dennis Archambault

The growing awareness of the correlation between poor nutrition and chronic disease has been evident at the community health level for years. However, policy and funding limitations have prevented development of this branch of health care, known as “Food is Medicine.”  Locally, partnerships between primary care organizations like Authority Health, community organizations, local food distributors and funders have grown the Fresh Prescription (Fresh Rx) program, which connects chronically ill patients with funding for fresh produce and nutritional counseling over six weeks. Neha Chava, an Albert Schweitzer Fellow at Authority Health, is expanding the Fresh Rx concept to include the whole family.

According to the Rockefeller Foundation, “The rising prevalence of chronic diseases — the majority of which are diet-related — has reached a crisis point. Many Americans, particularly in under-resourced communities, lack access to affordable nutritious food crucial for good health. The result? A staggering $1.1 trillion per year in healthcare costs related to what we eat — equal to what the U.S. spends on food itself.” The foundation noted that 42 percent of Americans live with obesity and that 500,000 deaths occur by diseases caused by poor diets. An untold number of people experience various disabilities as a result of diet-driven chronic disease.

“Food is Medicine programs provide high-need patients with nutrition support through produce prescriptions, medically tailored meals, or healthy grocery programs,” according to the Rockefeller Foundation. “Initial research shows these programs improve health outcomes for patients with conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Integrating Food is Medicine programs into our healthcare system can also save money. An estimated $13.6 billion in healthcare spend could be saved annually if all eligible Americans received medically tailored meals.”

As most people know, unhealthy habits happen quickly, but good habits take much longer to develop and reinforce. That requires more funding. Despite its professed commitment to reducing chronic disease, the federal government is actually withdrawing from funding programs like Fresh Rx, leaving the philanthropic sector as the major source of revenue to sustain these programs.

The Rockefeller Foundation committed $100 million to further advance Food is Medicine, including supporting vital research like the American Heart Association’s Health Care by Food Initiative.  Authority Health was an early proponent of Food as Medicine in Wayne County and looks forward to partner with funders and other community organizers who are committed to this work – which could provide a major enhancement in the quality of life for Americans.

Dennis Archambault is vice president of Public Affairs for Authority Health.