Food is Medicine

Overview

The rising prevalence of chronic diseases — the majority of which are diet-related — has reached a crisis point. Many Americans, particularly in under-resourced communities, lack access to affordable nutritious food crucial for good health. The result? A staggering $1.1 trillion per year in healthcare costs related to what we eat — equal to what the U.S. spends on food itself.

Food is Medicine programs provide high-need patients with nutrition support through produce prescriptions, medically tailored meals, or healthy grocery programs. Initial research shows these programs improve health outcomes for patients with conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Integrating Food is Medicine programs into our healthcare system can also save money. An estimated $13.6 billion in healthcare spend could be saved annually if all eligible Americans received medically tailored meals.

Since 2019, The Rockefeller Foundation has supported these programs and invested in research to deepen our understanding of their potential. The Foundation committed $100 million to further advance Food is Medicine, including supporting vital research like the American Heart Association’s Health Care by Food Initiative. We also initiated partnerships with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to speed the integration of Food Is Medicine into health systems.

Why It Matters

Existing and emerging data show that improved nutrition delivered via FIM interventions can improve health outcomes while reducing costs.

0%%
of American adults are living with obesity, which increases their risk of health problems including heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes [Tufts]
>0BillionBillion
people around the world can’t afford a healthy diet
0ThousandThousand
deaths are caused by poor diets in the U.S. yearly

Impact Stories

Food Desert No More: North Tulsa’s Fresh Start
Historically considered a food desert, North Tulsa residents now have access to FreshRx Oklahoma — a non-profit that partners with local farms to provide free, nutritious food to residents with Type 2 diabetes.
Latina-Focused Produce Rx Program Benefits Entire Families
Reaching vulnerable communities and improving health outcomes through produce prescriptions.
Helping Veterans With Produce Prescriptions
Produce prescriptions help veteran Kenny A. Joyner battle degenerative disc and joint disease. He says it's better than drugs, because it tackles underlying issues.

Report
Public Perception of Food is Medicine in Healthcare
A new national survey reveals that most Americans face challenges to healthy eating but strongly support Food is Medicine programs as a way to improve health, manage disease, and lower healthcare costs.
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