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Expanding "Food is Medicine" Initiatives Across Kentucky
Alison Gustafson, a leading figure in nutritional health, initially established the Food as Health Alliance at the University of Kentucky. This pioneering organization strategically unites the disciplines of agriculture, medicine, and nutrition, with the overarching goal of positively impacting diet-related health challenges throughout the state. Now, UK HealthCare is significantly expanding this vital initiative, embedding it further within its structure to deliver impactful “food is medicine” services. This expansion aims to improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations across Kentucky.
Partnerships Drive Statewide Food Security and Healthcare Integration
UK HealthCare’s expanded Food as Health Alliance has secured crucial agreements with three prominent Medicaid managed care organizations: Passport by Molina, UnitedHealthcare (UHC), and Aetna Better Health. Additionally, a collaborative partnership has been forged with Bluegrass Care Clinic, solidifying the program’s reach and impact. These partnerships facilitate the delivery of “food is medicine” services to Medicaid recipients statewide, reinforcing Kentucky’s commitment to this innovative approach to healthcare. The state’s designation as a “Food is Medicine” state, formalized through a joint resolution by the Kentucky state legislature, underscores this dedication.
Addressing Critical Health Needs with Tailored Food Interventions
“We aim to improve clinical outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and provide a tailored, user-friendly program,” stated Alison Gustafson, Ph.D., executive director of the Food as Health Alliance. The program’s initial focus for the current year is strategically targeted towards specific populations facing significant health challenges: pregnant women, adults living with HIV, and adults managing type 2 diabetes. The Alliance envisions expanding its services to address other prevalent conditions, including cancer and cardiovascular disease, in the future.
Comprehensive Food as Medicine Services and Support
The Food as Health Alliance offers a diverse range of options designed to meet individual patient needs. These include medically tailored meals, convenient meal kits, and a grocery prescription program. The latter empowers enrollees to purchase select, healthy food items at grocery stores, online retailers, or local farmers’ markets. A key component of the program is a high-touch patient experience, encompassing nutrition counseling with registered dietitians, dedicated case management, data tracking, ongoing evaluation, and comprehensive patient support. This holistic approach is designed to improve both clinical outcomes and overall health for program participants.
A Collaborative Effort within a Larger Food is Medicine Campaign
Gustafson, who also holds a professorship in the Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition at the University of Kentucky’s Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, emphasizes that the Food as Health Alliance represents a crucial element within a broader statewide “Food is Medicine” campaign. This larger initiative is spearheaded by Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell, the Kentucky Hospital Association, and the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, demonstrating a unified commitment to addressing food insecurity and its impact on health. The Alliance fosters a unique collaboration between healthcare providers, insurance companies, and community organizations, allowing for integration with existing food security programs like food pantries to provide targeted support for high-risk patients.
UK HealthCare, the hospitals and clinics of the University of Kentucky, represents a comprehensive healthcare network. It comprises over 10,000 dedicated professionals providing advanced subspecialty care to patients from across the Commonwealth and beyond. Notably, it houses the state’s sole National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit specializing in the care of the most vulnerable newborns, and the region’s only Level 1 trauma center. As a leading academic research institution, UK HealthCare is committed to pioneering innovative cures, treatments, and policies, shaping the future of medicine and contributing to a healthier Kentucky for generations to come.
