We know that nutrition is critical to health and well-being. And when people are hungry or cannot access nutritious food, they’re less likely to get or stay healthy. Many of these people are served by our PHMI cohort of CHCs.
To help treat and prevent diet-related diseases and reduce hunger, PHMI is excited to launch subject matter expertise through evidence-based Food is Medicine interventions. Food is Medicine is a term that refers to strategies employed by healthcare to connect people to food resources appropriate for their health and social needs. This may include medically tailored meals, produce prescriptions, connection to government funded nutrition assistance benefits, and other strategies.
Leveraging the Kaiser Permanente Food is Medicine Center for Excellence, as well as subject matter expertise from HealthBegins, we will be supporting CHCs through:
- Development and distribution of resources and tools CHCs can use
- Learning opportunities for CHCs and/or their PHMI coaches
- 1:1 TA and support
Here are 3 ways Food is Medicine and subject matter expertise can help CHCs’ Populations of Focus:
- Enhancing Chronic Disease Management: designed for individuals with diabetes and hypertension which supports PHMI’s Chronic Conditions Population of Focus.
- Patient Education for Self-Management: CHCs can educate and empoweremic control, and healthy cooking – reinforcing PHMI’s focus on preventive and proactive care.
- Food is Medicine supports PHMI’s Social Health Framework: CHCs can better meet patient’s social health needs by developing stronger partnerships and integrated strategies with local Food is Medicine and food insecurity organizations.
Interested in learning more about Food is Medicine? Reach out to PHM_Initiative@kp.org.