Title: Prescription for Free Fruits and Vegetables Improves Health Outcomes in Patients with Diabetes, Hypertension, and Obesity
Subtitle: “Food is medicine” programs show promising results in the largest analysis of produce prescription programs to date
[City], [Date] – A recent study published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes states that the health of individuals with diabetes, hypertension, and obesity significantly improved when they were provided with free fruits and vegetables through a prescription from their doctors and other healthcare professionals. The study found that these patients experienced improved blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and weight.
The improvements observed in clinical outcomes could have a meaningful impact on overall health, according to the study. Systolic blood pressure, the pressure during heartbeats, decreased by over 8 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), while diastolic blood pressure, the pressure between heartbeats, decreased by nearly 5 mm Hg. To put it into perspective, this reduction is approximately half the decrease achieved through blood pressure-lowering medications.
In the United States, numerous healthcare providers have been implementing “food is medicine” programs, which aim to provide free, healthy food to patients for an extended period, including a year or more. One variety of such initiatives includes produce prescription programs, which enable patients with diet-related illnesses to obtain apples, broccoli, berries, cucumbers, and other fruits and vegetables at no cost.
This study represents the most extensive analysis conducted on produce prescription programs to date. The research drew data from 22 locations operated by Wholesome Wave, a nonprofit organization that advocates for access to affordable, healthy food. All 4,000 participants, who were either at risk for or had poor cardiometabolic health, were recruited from clinics serving low-income neighborhoods.
The findings revealed that participants in these programs consumed greater quantities of fruits and vegetables. Moreover, they were 33% less likely to experience food insecurity, meaning they had sufficient access to food to meet their basic needs and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
The significance of these programs cannot be overstated, especially considering that over 300,000 Americans die each year due to cardiovascular disease and diet-related diabetes. Individuals experiencing food insecurity, estimated at 13.5 million households in the US, are more likely to suffer from cardiometabolic health issues, such as heart disease and diabetes, and face shorter life expectancies and higher medical costs.
Research indicates that the majority of Americans, regardless of income, do not follow a healthy diet. However, lower-income individuals tend to consume food that is slightly more detrimental to their health compared to those who can afford to spend more on nutritious options.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the 2022 White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health outlined a national strategy to combat food insecurity and reduce diet-related illnesses. The conference concluded with a strategy that called for the implementation of more produce prescription programs.
Historically, the impact of such conferences has been significant. Over 50 years ago, the previous White House conference on hunger and nutrition led to lasting changes in US food policies, including the expansion of the National School Lunch Program and the creation of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
Spearheading the movement for change, the Indian Health Service and the Veterans Health Administration have announced produce prescription pilots within a year of the latest conference. Additionally, eight state Medicaid programs have applied for or received federal waivers that would allow Medicaid to cover produce prescriptions for up to six months for eligible individuals. However, these programs are still inaccessible to the majority of Americans who could benefit from them.
Looking ahead, further evaluation is underway for “food is medicine” pilots funded by Massachusetts’ Medicaid program through the Flexible Services Program. Additionally, a large randomized controlled trial is being conducted, comparing the effects of free home-delivered meals against standard care in cancer patients.
The potential impact of “food is medicine” programs on improving health outcomes for individuals with chronic conditions is significant. As more research and support emerge, it is hoped that these programs will become more widely available to those in need, leading to healthier communities across the nation.
Disclaimer: This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.