Clinical outcomes of a large-scale, partnership-based regional food prescription program: results of a quasi-experimental study

Top Things to Know

Participants had modest cardiometabolic improvements with declines in HbA1c and blood pressure levels, which demonstrates the importance of integrating food assistance into healthcare settings.

The program’s partnership with healthcare organizations and success at a large scale demonstrates its potential for widespread implementation.

This study adds to the evidence supporting the effectiveness of FIM programs, demonstrates such programs can be done at large scale, and emphasizes the role of food assistance in comprehensive healthcare.

Summary of Conclusion/Findings

The study evaluated a large-scale, partnership-based regional food prescription program implemented by the Houston Food Bank and its healthcare partners. Conducted between May 2018 and March 2021, the study found that participants experienced a modest decline in HbA1c levels and improvements in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The program involved bi-monthly redemption of fresh produce and healthy food items at participating food pantries. The results suggest that food prescription programs can effectively improve cardio-metabolic health outcomes at scale.