Written by: Rafael Guimarães, MS & Kristen DiFilippo, PhD, RDN
Access to nutritious food is a fundamental right, yet millions of Americans struggle with food insecurity, a challenge closely linked to the rise in diet-related chronic diseases. The “Food is Medicine” movement is gaining momentum across the United States as an innovative response to this issue, emphasizing that food can play a pivotal role in improving health outcomes, reducing healthcare costs, and addressing systemic inequities (Lofton & Peterson, 2023). While dietitians have long worked towards improving food intake to improve health outcomes, the Food is Medicine movement highlights the health impacts of nutrition to other members of the medical community. Below we explore the growing influence of Food is Medicine programs and their potential to reshape the way healthcare systems address both food insecurity and chronic illnesses (Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), 2023).
Understanding the Concept
At the core, Food is Medicine programs recognize that access to healthy, nutrient-dense food is essential for managing and preventing chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. These programs aim to integrate food support into healthcare, often through the provision of medically tailored meals, produce prescriptions, and nutrition education (Lofton & Peterson, 2023). By bridging the gap between food access and healthcare, these initiatives offer a holistic approach to patient care, addressing both immediate dietary needs and long-term health improvements (National Institutes of Health (NIH), 2022).
The Role of Healthcare Systems
The integration of food into medical care is not only a response to individual health needs but also a strategy for tackling broader systemic issues, such as racial and economic disparities in healthcare (Lofton & Peterson, 2023). Low-income communities, particularly communities of color, are disproportionately affected by food insecurity and diet-related chronic diseases due to long-standing social and economic inequities (Bauer et al., 2020). By offering food as part of medical care, healthcare systems can help reduce these disparities and improve the overall health of vulnerable populations (Seligman et al., 2019).
A Growing Movement with Federal Support
The Food is Medicine movement is gaining traction, bolstered by increasing federal support and investment (Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), 2023). In 2022, the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health renewed national attention on the need to end hunger and reduce chronic disease in the United States by 2030 (“American society for Nutrition publishes comprehensive summary of historic White House conference on hunger, Nutrition, and health,” 2023). In response, various federal initiatives, including those led by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), have been developed to support the expansion of Food is Medicine programs across the country (Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), 2023).
Conclusion
Food is Medicine programs represent an innovative approach that recognizes the power of nutrition in combating chronic diseases and promoting health equity. By integrating healthy foods directly into medical care, these programs demonstrate that proper nutrition can serve as both a preventive tool and an effective form of treatment. With growing support at the federal and state levels, such as recent policies from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the expansion of these programs has the potential to transform the healthcare system, reduce racial and socioeconomic disparities, and provide healthier lives for millions of Americans. By investing in programs that unite health and nutrition, we move toward a future where holistic care becomes the norm, not the exception.
These efforts not only offer a short-term solution to food insecurity but also lay the foundation for a more resilient and sustainable healthcare system, where food is indeed a powerful form of medicine.
References
American society for Nutrition publishes comprehensive summary of historic White House conference on hunger, Nutrition, and health. (2023, February 16). Retrieved August 22, 2024, from https://nutrition.org/american-society-for-nutrition-publishes-comprehensive-summary-of-historic-white-house-conference-on-hunger-nutrition-and-health/
Bauer, J. W., Kim, J., & Nelson, M. K. (2020). The cost of food insecurity in the United States: The impact on individuals, families, and the healthcare system.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). (2023). Federal support for food is medicine programs. Retrieved August 22, 2024, from https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/06/21/federal-support-food-medicine-programs.html
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). (2023). Food is medicine: A project to unify and advance collective action. Retrieved August 22, 2024, from https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/06/21/federal-support-food-medicine-programs.html website: https://health.gov/our-work/nutrition-physical-activity/food-medicine
Lofton, S., & Peterson, B. (2023, June 21). Food is medicine programs can improve health, reduce food insecurity. Retrieved August 22, 2024, from Chicago Sun-Times website: https://chicago.suntimes.com/2023/6/21/23767406/food-medicine-health-disparities-chronic-illness-wellness-nutrition-saria-lofton-lucy-peterson-op-ed
National Institutes of Health (NIH). (2022). The impact of nutrition on health outcomes: A comprehensive review. Retrieved August 22, 2024, from https://www.nih.gov/impact-nutrition-health-outcomes website: https://www.nih.gov/impact-nutrition-health-outcomes
Seligman, H. K., Botti, A. M., & Ferguson, K. M. (2019). Food insecurity and chronic disease management: Addressing a critical healthcare gap.
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