The collaboration between the Food is Medicine Institute at Tufts University and Kaiser Permanente has led to the establishment of the Food is Medicine National Network of Excellence. This initiative has also brought together other prominent healthcare organizations such as Geisinger, Highmark Health, CVS Health, Elevance Health, Devoted Health, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina.
The primary goal of this network is to leverage programs like medically-tailored meals, prescribing fresh produce, and providing enhanced nutrition education to address diet-related chronic medical conditions. By doing so, hospitals and health systems aim to reduce healthcare costs in the long run.
Tufts University is at the forefront of organizing this national network to streamline efforts across the country that integrate Food is Medicine interventions into healthcare practices. The network will focus on three key priorities:
1. Developing frameworks to evaluate the impact of Food is Medicine interventions on health outcomes and costs.
2. Sharing insights to enhance program design and delivery.
3. Promoting the effectiveness of Food is Medicine through engagement with the healthcare sector, policymakers, and the public.
Pamela Schwartz, the executive director of community health at Kaiser Permanente, expressed excitement about the potential of Food is Medicine programs to improve health outcomes. The organization has been conducting trials on these programs for several years and is now looking to expand these efforts to assist other healthcare organizations.
Tufts University initially launched its Food is Medicine Institute in 2023, with a focus on integrating nutrition security screening tools into electronic health records and studying how food and nutrition can support maternal and child health equity. One of the key research areas includes produce prescription programs that utilize healthy food to treat diet-related diseases.
Research assistant professor Ronit Ridberg highlighted the importance of healthcare delivery in Food is Medicine interventions, emphasizing that these programs are linked to specific health conditions related to diet. The integration of nutrition-based interventions into healthcare systems has garnered support from figures like Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who believes in the significance of nutrition and food quality in healthcare.
Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, the director of Tufts’ Food is Medicine Institute, stressed the impact of suboptimal diets and food insecurity on public health and the economy. By collaborating and scaling evidence-based nutritional interventions, the network aims to drive positive change, improve health outcomes, and reduce disparities.
In conclusion, the Food is Medicine National Network of Excellence represents a significant step towards integrating nutrition-focused interventions into healthcare practices to enhance patient care and outcomes. With the support of various healthcare organizations and policymakers, this initiative has the potential to make a substantial impact on public health and healthcare costs.
Andrea Fox is the senior editor of Healthcare IT News. You can contact her at afox@himss.org. Healthcare IT News is a HIMSS Media publication.
