Health Systems Approaches for Advancing Implementation and Policy for Food is Medicine.

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Public Health
• Health Policy

Background:

• Poor nutrition is a leading modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), contributing to significant morbidity, mortality, and health disparities in the US.
• The Food is Medicine (FIM) movement integrates nutrition interventions into healthcare to prevent, manage, and treat diet-related chronic diseases.
• Emerging research suggests FIM interventions like produce prescriptions and medically tailored meals are cost-effective for improving CVD outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the role of clinicians and health systems in operationalizing Food is Medicine (FIM) interventions.
• To discuss the potential of FIM to address root causes of cardiometabolic disease, manage costs, and promote health equity.
• To emphasize the need for continued research, policy reform, and clinician engagement to advance FIM in healthcare.

Main Methods:

• Systematic screening for nutrition insecurity and risk stratification within healthcare settings.
• Implementing closed-loop referral workflows and quality improvement via outcome measurement.
• Leveraging electronic health records and multidisciplinary teams for FIM delivery.
• Utilizing implementation science to standardize FIM eligibility, dose, duration, and patient education.
• Engaging clinicians in research, policy advocacy, and health system leadership.

Main Results:

• FIM interventions demonstrate promise in improving cardiovascular disease and associated health outcomes.
• FIM approaches are increasingly supported by federal and state legislative efforts, including Medicaid waivers.
• Operationalizing FIM requires systematic screening, referral, and quality monitoring within health systems.

Conclusions:

• Food is Medicine (FIM) offers a significant opportunity to address cardiometabolic disease, reduce healthcare costs, and advance health equity.
• Fragmented coverage and policy pathways necessitate continued research, policy reform, and clinician engagement.
• Integrating FIM into value-based care models can enhance its scalability and impact on population health.