BPHC Bulletin: Introducing Food Is Medicine

October 1, 2024

Dear Valued Colleague:

I am writing to inform you about important collaborative work to advance Food Is Medicine that is underway within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in support of the National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health.[i] Extensive research has demonstrated the link between nutrition and health, and it has become increasingly clear that diet quality affects risk for chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, liver disease, and some types of cancer.[ii] The risk is further exacerbated by food insecurity, especially among communities of color and those with low income.[iii] [iv] [v] Today, 60% of adults have one or more diet-related chronic-disease. This poses a major public health problem given that diet-related diseases are some of the leading causes of death and disability in the U.S.[vi] [vii] The burden of sub-optimal nutrition and food insecurity extends beyond physical health and is also associated with psychological distress and other mental health outcomes, including depression.[viii]

Food Is Medicine affirms the connection between diet and health and recognizes that access to high-quality nourishment is essential for individuals and communities to thrive. To date, there are a variety of Food Is Medicine models and the landscape, which includes health centers, is quickly evolving. Models may include medically tailored meals, medically supported groceries, produce prescriptions, and nutrition incentives along with education designed to facilitate behavior change such as group classes, supermarket tours, cooking classes, and/or medical nutrition therapy.

Multiple federal agencies worked together to develop the following resources (available on HHS’ Food Is Medicine website):

• Foundational Understanding Tools: Key materials that provide support to understand policy and state data profiles related to Food Is Medicine opportunities.
• Federal Food Is Medicine Resource Hub: Information on relevant federal policies, regulations, educational tools, and funding opportunities to support Food Is Medicine programs.
• Promising Practices: Models and emerging practices for broad, scalable Food Is Medicine implementation, including within health centers.
• Bright Spots: Case studies that are designed to provide actionable insights from innovators across the nation.
• Provider Continuing Education Resources: Continuing education opportunities for health care professionals to advance their understanding of nutrition and application of Food Is Medicine.
• Analytic Framework: Priority measurement domains and metrics to advance Food Is Medicine evaluation.

I encourage you to review these resources and consider opportunities to introduce or enhance Food Is Medicine in your own work.

Join Us

HHS will host a webinar for HRSA-supported health centers to introduce Food Is Medicine, the new resources, and opportunities to get involved:

Tuesday, November 5
1:30-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Thank you for your dedication to enhancing the health of your communities and interest in learning new approaches, like Food Is Medicine, to improve your success.

Sincerely,

/s/ Jim Macrae
Associate Administrator
Bureau of Primary Health Care

/s/ Rear Admiral Paul Reed
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion