Transforming Healthcare: The Revolutionary Food is Medicine Network
In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at reshaping healthcare practices in the United States, Kaiser Permanente and Tufts University’s Food is Medicine Institute (FIMI) have unveiled the National Network of Excellence (NOE). This collaborative effort seeks to accelerate the implementation of food-based health interventions across the nation, putting a much-needed spotlight on the often-overlooked role of nutrition in health outcomes.
The Urgent Need for Dietary Solutions
“Food is the big missing thing in how we approach our health in this country,” states Dariush Mozaffarian, a cardiologist and Director of FIMI. With chronic diseases accounting for a staggering 70 percent of all U.S. deaths each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it’s clear that our dietary habits need urgent attention. Conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity are deeply rooted in poor nutrition.
Moreover, research from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation indicates that unhealthy diets contribute to 678,000 deaths annually in the U.S. The time for change is now, and the NOE is stepping into this vital role.
Uniting Forces Against Health Disparities
At its core, the NOE strives to assess the effectiveness of food is medicine (FIM) interventions and identify opportunities to optimize their design and delivery. With founding members that include Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, CVS Health, and more, the initiative aims to foster collaboration among healthcare leaders committed to reducing disparities and enhancing the overall health of communities.
“We are creating a more equitable and resilient healthcare system that recognizes the power of food as medicine,” shares Pamela Schwartz, Executive Director of Community Health at Kaiser Permanente.
The Economic Burden of Poor Nutrition
It’s not just health that suffers. Poor nutrition costs the U.S. over $1 trillion annually in healthcare expenses linked to chronic, diet-related diseases. A staggering 85 percent of healthcare spending is related to managing these conditions, as reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “This is bad for health and bad for the cost of care,” Schwartz emphasizes.
The Promise of Food-Based Interventions
Excitingly, recent research shows that FIM interventions could avert approximately 1.6 million hospitalizations and save an impressive $13.6 billion in healthcare costs in just one year. These findings highlight the transformative potential of incorporating food-based nutritional approaches into healthcare systems.
“By addressing the root causes of diet-related conditions, we can achieve better health outcomes,” Mozaffarian asserts.
Success Stories and Ongoing Trials
Over the past eight years, Kaiser Permanente has explored various FIM interventions, including medically tailored meals, produce prescriptions, and nutritional counseling. In 2023 and 2022, they conducted the largest randomized controlled trial of produce prescriptions, discovering significant improvements in food security and a notable reduction in blood sugar levels among diabetic patients who received healthy food boxes.
Currently, Kaiser Permanente is running a new study that integrates patient choice, enabling them to shop from a curated list of healthy items online. “We aim to understand not just the diseases patients face, but also their cooking habits, shopping access, and overall lifestyle,” reveals Schwartz.
Looking to the Future
As research continues, there’s growing optimism about the potential for FIM interventions to revolutionize healthcare. “We’re witnessing a surge in support for FIM initiatives,” Mozaffarian shares. With the NOE positioned at the forefront, there is hope that this initiative could lead to demonstrable improvements in health outcomes across a variety of metrics, including better pregnancy experiences, managed diabetes, and enhanced mental health.
Schwartz expresses her enthusiasm: “The genuine engagement across Kaiser Permanente has been unprecedented; it’s exciting to see such motivation toward a healthier future.”
A Vision for Holistic Healthcare
Mozaffarian articulates a hopeful vision for the future: “I envision a time when a doctor reaches for a prescription pad and writes a prescription for healthy food just as easily as for drugs or surgery.”
This shift isn’t just aspirational—it’s a potential reality that could redefine the essence of healthcare as a holistic practice that nourishes the body from the inside out.
Join Us in This Movement
Articles like this are made possible through the generous support of Food Tank members. Join our growing movement today!
Photo courtesy of Tufts University
In a world where food can either be a source of health or disease, the launch of the Food is Medicine National Network of Excellence represents a pivotal moment, sparking a shift toward integrating nutrition deeply into our healthcare system. It’s time to embrace the message: food is medicine—let’s nurture our bodies wisely!
