#None #Diabetes Care #Stockton, CA #Healthy Food Rx #Abbott Fund

New Research Reveals Stronger Health Outcomes in Food is Medicine Initiative

Recent findings presented at the American Diabetes Association's 86th Scientific Sessions underscore the effectiveness of Abbott's Healthy Food Rx program, particularly when combined with support from community health workers. This initiative aims to leverage food as a fundamental element in managing diabetes, with participation leading to substantial improvements in the health of adults living with type 2 diabetes.

Conducted in partnership with the Public Health Institute Center for Wellness and Nutrition (PHI CWN), the Asian Pacific Self-Development and Residential Association (APSARA), and the Emergency Food Bank of Stockton/San Joaquin (EFB), this study examined a group of 284 participants over a six-month period. The initiative provided food boxes composed of nutritious ingredients alongside comprehensive health coaching, showcasing the impact of a combined dietary and support system.

Key Findings of the Study

The results from the study are groundbreaking and emphasize the critical link between nutrition, community support, and health outcomes for individuals managing diabetes:

1. Diet Quality Improvement: Participants significantly increased their dietary intake of vegetables and fruits. Vegetable consumption surged from 1.2 to 2.4 servings daily, while fruit consumption rose from 1.2 to 2.3 servings. Furthermore, water intake also saw an uptick from 2.8 to 4.1 times per day.
2. Enhanced Physical Activity: There was a notable increase in participants' physical activity, with the frequency of exercise sessions extending from an average of 2.8 to 4.4 times per week, demonstrating a commitment to healthier lifestyles.
3. Boosted Diabetes Self-Management: Participants reported considerable improvements in personal health management, with glucometer monitoring rising from 28% to 62%, and adherence to medication increased from 57% to 94%.
4. Improved Physical and Mental Health: Individuals reporting excellent physical health more than tripled from 21% to 77%, while those indicating good mental health more than doubled from 34% to 88%. This indicates not just physical health improvements but also positive psychological impacts from the program.
5. Reduced Food Insecurity: Significantly, food insecurity levels for the participants decreased from an alarming 91% to 76%, showcasing the program’s effectiveness in addressing nutritional access.

Insights from Experts

Maggie Wilkin, director of research and evaluation at PHI CWN, commented, “This research adds to the evidence supporting Food is Medicine and shows the significant impact of community-centered approaches on diabetes care.” Wilkin emphasizes the importance of integrating healthy food access with supportive coaching tailored to patients' specific needs.

Melissa Brotz, Abbott's Senior Vice President, shared, “The Healthy Food Rx program indicates the potential for transformative health outcomes when individuals receive not only nutritious food but also encouragement from trusted community health workers.” This sentiment highlights the dual approach of nutrition and support as key to managing chronic health conditions.

Implementation and Future Goals

Within the framework of the Healthy Food Rx initiative, participants received bi-weekly deliveries of nutritious food tailored to support their health goals, along with personalized health coaching in their preferred languages. This included ingredients for wholesome family meals, recipe cards, and optional online diabetes education classes. The program carefully incorporated follow-up measures to keep participants engaged and motivated regarding their health.

The study was evaluated over two distinct rounds, assessing changes in diet, physical activity, food security, diabetes management, and overall health before and after the program. These promising results align with earlier studies indicating significant health improvements through similar initiatives, enhancing Abbott’s commitment to public health.

About Abbott and Future Initiatives

Abbott is at the forefront of community health initiatives like Healthy Food Rx, reaching over 2,100 participants to date. The program is part of Abbott's Future Well™ Communities initiative, aimed at removing barriers to health and enhancing access to nutritious food and education.
The collaboration with local organizations signifies Abbott's dedication to improving health outcomes across various communities, particularly those that are underserved.
For additional insights and details about the program's impact, you can visit Abbott's official website or connect through their social media platforms.