Food Is Medicine In The US: A National Survey Of Public Perceptions Of Care, Practices, And Policies

By Ronit Ridberg, Julia Reedy Sharib, Kathryn Garfield, Erika Hanson, and Dariush Mozaffarian. Originally published in Health Affairs Forefront on March 12, 2025.

New research reveals a critical gap: despite poor nutrition costing the US over 600,000 lives and $1.1 trillion annually, awareness of “Food Is Medicine” interventions is low. A national survey shows most people want these nutrition-focused programs (like medically tailored meals) integrated into healthcare, with strong support for Medicare/Medicaid coverage. Key findings highlight the need for:

• Increased nutrition training for healthcare providers.
• Accreditation standards for Food Is Medicine programs.
• Incentives for insurers to cover these interventions.

This data underscores the urgent need to prioritize nutrition in healthcare to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities.

Read the research.