ProVeg International’s Post

Food for thought? Recent recommendations from the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) have sparked a crucial conversation in healthcare, and Alia Sajani, writing for STAT, covered the news. The article notes that while they recognized the seriousness of food insecurity as a health risk, they found limited evidence to show that screening specifically for it in primary care settings leads to better health outcomes. But, what does that really mean? The article mentions that people who don’t have access to nutritious food could also face lack of transportation, unstable housing, and financial instability. That makes it difficult for researchers to pick apart the impact of food interventions on their own. It also suggests that when, where, and how screenings are performed — and how holistic they are — could be the key to solving the full range of SDOH needs to make a true difference in the outcomes. Given that the connection between SDOH and health outcomes is clear, we need to ensure that those in need are identified at the right moment, and given the right help, at the right time. Read more: https://sames.ky/3L8Hi6w

Fascinating article! So often in healthcare we think of treating disease with strictly pharmaceutical interventions. Coupling that approach with using food as medicine can help achieve overall better management of diseases and health results.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and The Rockefeller Foundation announced a new partnership to accelerate the adoption of Food is Medicine in health systems. “We know good food is the foundation of good health, and study after study has found Food is Medicine interventions can make people healthier while reducing health care costs,” said Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, President of The Rockefeller Foundation. “For far too long, patients with diet-related diseases have faced barriers when trying to access the nutritious foods that can help them live healthier, fuller lives,” said Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, President of The Rockefeller Foundation. “Making Food is Medicine interventions a central part of routine health care can transform those lives as well as American health care, making it both more affordable and better able to prevent, manage, and treat such diseases.” In the United States, vulnerable groups – communities of color, rural communities, veterans, seniors, and low-income households – suffer disproportionately from diet-related disease and food insecurity and are burdened with higher health care expenditures. Chronic diseases – the vast majority of which are diet-related – account for 90%, or $3.8 trillion, of the nation’s annual health care budget. Despite staggering health impacts and associated costs, the U.S. health care system has few formal programs that work to help patients improve their diets. #foodasmedicine #prevention #chronicdisease #nutrition #healthcare #foodprograms #health #aclm

We’ve seen how a lack of access to nutritious food impact the health and wellbeing of our clients. We were extremely encouraged that the draft 1115 Medicaid demonstration waiver from DC’s Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF) includes a request to expand coverage for nutrition services. The proposal recognizes the prevalence of hunger in our community and the connection between a lack of food access and increased risks for many chronic health conditions. The inclusion of nutrition supports in the District’s draft demonstration waiver represents an exciting opportunity to scale a variety of programs across our community that increase access to healthy food. Nutrition services, like the groceries and nutrition supports provided through our food pharmacy at Children’s National Hospital, have the potential to improve health outcomes and reduce health disparities. We look forward to working with DHCF, community stakeholders and managed care organizations to shape the Medicaid nutrition supports covered under the waiver to deliver the greatest impact for our community. #foodismedicine #foodinsecurity #nutritioninsecurity #FoodPlusHealth #1115 #foodpharmacy

Validation Institute is thrilled to share that Kaiser Permanente's Executive Director of Community Health, Pamela Schwartz, MPH will be serving as the Summit Chair Person for the upcoming Food as Medicine Strategy Summit, taking place May 29 - 31, 2024, in Washington, DC. 🎤 Featured Summit Session: Leveraging Food as Medicine Programs to Engage Members, Improve Outcomes, and Sustain Healthy Behaviors Gain invaluable insights as industry leaders discuss approaches to effectively integrate food-related initiatives, addressing both food insecurity and diet-related diseases for broader impact. Explore innovative strategies to expand access to affordable and nutritious food, shaping the future of healthcare. 🌐 About Pamela M. Schwartz, MPH: Pamela is a trailblazer with over 25 years of experience in community health strategy and evaluation. As the visionary leader behind Kaiser Permanente's national food-security strategy, she oversees the seamless integration of social health interventions into care for Medicaid members and across all lines of business. Pam has been a driving force in the Food is Medicine movement, helping establish the evidence base and business case for addressing food- and nutrition-insecurity. Her commitment is reflected in Kaiser Permanente's $50 million Food is Medicine initiative, aligning with its role in the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. Join us at the Food as Medicine Strategy Summit for an enlightening experience, where leaders like Pamela will share their wealth of knowledge and drive meaningful discussions on the intersection of healthcare and nutrition. Let's work together to shape the future of health and well-being! Register by Friday, March 22, 2024 and save an extra $100 off the early rates with promo code SM2024.* (That's up to $600 off the final rates.) 👉 Register Now:  https://lnkd.in/echm5uwU #thINc360 #HealthcareInnovation #healthcare #FutureofHealthcare #healthcare #health #healthandwellness #FoodAsMedicine #FoodisMedicine #FoodMedCertified #PublicHealth #populationhealth #pophealth #HealthEquity #healthdisparities #wellness #wellbeing #wellnesswednesday #wednesdaywellness #nutrition #clinicalnutrition #healthyfood #healthylifestyle #healthyliving #communityengagement #HealthcareLeadership #healthpolicy #healthcareonlinkedin #CommunityHealth *Restrictions apply. Check website for details.

In their new Forefront article, Hilary Seligman and Rocco Perla of the University of California, San Francisco and THI - The Health Initiative argue that, under its existing authority, CMS should issue clarifying guidance to facilitate patients’ access to healthy food via Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill and/or primarily health-related benefits. "It is not just clinicians grappling with this question either. The federal government has increasingly recognized the importance of addressing social drivers of health (SDOH) in clinical settings. In 2022, CMS first incentivized providers to screen patients for five core SDOH (food insecurity, housing instability, transportation needs, difficulty paying utilities, and interpersonal safety) and recently added a display measure for SDOH screening and intervention in the 2025 Star Ratings for MA plans. In 2023, the White House committed to increase funding for screening and addressing SDOH in clinical settings, while recognizing that “marshalling health care resources to address SDOH can be challenging.” Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/4ekOgCN

WEBINAR! Momentum to integrate food and nutrition insecurity interventions into health care is poised to continue in 2024, with more providers screening for health-related social needs and connecting patients to produce vouchers, medically-tailored meals, and other Food is Medicine interventions. Health care systems are also increasingly experimenting with new ways to engage patients about government benefit programs such as WIC and SNAP, leveraging these programs as part of a Food is Medicine framework, and embracing the role that health care can play in boosting participation among eligible individuals. On February 26, join the Harvard Law School Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation in conversation with three health care systems driving increased coordination of health care, referrals, and food safety net programs: Healthcare Network, a Federally Qualified Health Center in Florida and recipient of a 2023 WIC Community Innovation and Outreach Project (WIC CIAO) grant. Kaiser Permanente, a leading health care provider and not-for-profit health plan deploying an innovative texting-based outreach campaign and other efforts to help people apply for government programs. Community Care Cooperative (C3), a Federally Qualified Health Center-led Accountable Care Organization in Massachusetts focused on advancing integrated and coordinated community-based care for Medicaid beneficiaries. Panelists will highlight program experiences, research efforts, lessons learned and strategies. Register here: https://ow.ly/I9Rc50QAKIE

The inaugural Colorado Food Is Medicine Summit convened various stakeholders, emphasising how nutritious food interventions improve health outcomes, reduce recovery time, and lower healthcare expenses. Led by Kaiser Permanente and Project Angel Heart, the event united health experts, policymakers, and community representatives to address the link between food and health. Leaders stressed collaborative strategies for enhancing ‘food as medicine’ efforts statewide. This concept transcends nutritional education, encompassing equitable access to healthy food and its significant role in overall well-being. From tailored meal deliveries to screening for food access, programmes aim to aid those with chronic illnesses or limited resources. Successful initiatives and partnerships were showcased, setting the tone for Colorado’s collaborative approach to enhancing ‘food as medicine’ for state residents. This initiative also promises a potential cost reduction in healthcare by improving health outcomes, as evidenced by reduced hospital readmissions and overall healthcare expenses. To learn more about disruptions in the healthcare industry, subscribe to our newsletter at: https://lnkd.in/dkbQGN-k

Check out these insights on the transformative impact of Food Is Medicine (FIM) interventions in healthcare. From tackling social determinants of health to advancing equity, this blog post delves into how FIM is revolutionizing healthcare delivery. Join the conversation and dive into key initiatives shaping the future of food and healthcare. #FoodIsMedicine #HealthcareInnovation #sdoh #hrsn https://lnkd.in/e8Uqepxi

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and The Rockefeller Foundation have joined forces to accelerate the adoption of "Food is Medicine" in health systems. Learn more about this groundbreaking partnership and its potential impact on patient care. #FoodisMedicine #HealthcareInnovation