The Food is Medicine Institute at Tufts University and Kaiser Permanente have teamed up to create a national network focused on improving health and equity through food solutions. This network aims to share effective practices in the “Food is Medicine” approach.
Other founding members of this initiative include Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, CVS Health, Devoted Health, Elevance Health, Geisinger, and Highmark Health. Together, they will work to evaluate how Food is Medicine programs impact health and manage costs. They will also engage with industry leaders and policymakers to highlight the value of these food-based health interventions.
Kaiser Permanente has been exploring Food is Medicine programs for years. Pamela Schwartz, their Community Health director, expressed excitement about the potential these programs have to enhance health. She emphasized their goal to share successful strategies with other healthcare organizations.
Research from the Tufts Food is Medicine Institute suggests that food-related policies can make a real difference. Programs like tailored meal services, produce prescriptions, and nutrition education can help reduce diet-related health issues. These strategies strive to ensure everyone has access to healthy food, regardless of their income or where they live.
Dariush Mozaffarian, a cardiologist and director of the institute, points out the serious consequences of poor diets and food insecurity. Each year, they contribute to over 500,000 deaths and a staggering $1.1 trillion in health costs and lost productivity. By working together, this network aims to promote effective nutritional strategies that improve health and reduce inequalities.
