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.
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