Incorporating targeted food and nutrition strategies into the national healthcare system has the potential to enhance overall health, improve the quality of life, reduce the burden on hospitals, and significantly lower healthcare expenditures, as per experts researching the Food is Medicine (FIM) approach. The manifold health and economic advantages of this innovative method have been elucidated in a report released today by researchers affiliated with the Food is Medicine Institute at Tufts University’s Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. The research has been made possible through generous support from The Rockefeller Foundation.
Titled “The True Cost of Food: Food is Medicine Case Study,” this comprehensive report delves into the potential health and economic benefits associated with FIM initiatives. FIM, in essence, involves the integration of food-based nutritional interventions within the healthcare framework, primarily aimed at treating or preventing chronic diet-related diseases. In recent years, this approach has demonstrated great potential not only in enhancing nutritional intake and health outcomes but also in mitigating food insecurity and advancing health equity.
Based on research data outlined in the report, a nationwide implementation of Medically Tailored Meals (MTMs) across Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance, catering to patients afflicted with diet-related conditions and limited daily living capabilities, could potentially avert an estimated 1.6 million hospitalizations. Moreover, it is expected to yield a net savings of approximately $13.6 billion in healthcare expenses during the inaugural year, after factoring in implementation costs.
Additionally, the report highlights the potential benefits of implementing produce prescription programs on a national scale, especially for patients grappling with both diabetes and food insecurity. Such programs could prevent around 292,000 cardiovascular events and contribute 260,000 quality-adjusted life years, a vital metric measuring the effectiveness of treatments in prolonging or enhancing patients’ lives. From a healthcare perspective, this approach proves highly cost-effective, boasting an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $18,100 per quality-adjusted life year. From a societal perspective, it emerges as a cost-saving measure, delivering a net savings of $-0.05 billion.
In summary, the incorporation of Food is Medicine strategies into the national healthcare system demonstrates substantial potential for not only improving health outcomes but also for generating significant cost savings. The findings in this report underscore the importance of considering innovative approaches to healthcare that leverage the power of nutrition to mitigate chronic diseases and enhance overall well-being.
