Real-world implementation of a clinic-community food is medicine intervention for patients with type 2 diabetes

AIMS: To evaluate the impact of a real-world implementation of a Food is Medicine intervention on improvements in health outcomes for patients in a rural area. 

METHODS: Patients with type 2 diabetes and food insecurity were referred by their primary care provider to receive weekly vouchers redeemable at a local food bank. Outcomes, including Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), Body Mass Index (BMI), and blood pressure (BP), were measured at baseline and follow-up. Voucher redemption and attendance at health education sessions were recorded throughout the intervention (November 2023-April 2024). Linear mixed effects models were used to determine the association between voucher redemption and health outcomes. 

RESULTS: Patients (n = 165) identified as Latinx (86 %) and female (73 %), with a median of 17 weekly food voucher redemptions (IQR: 15-22). After controlling for the number of pickups and days between baseline and follow-up clinic visits, significant improvements in HbA1c were observed (-0.34 [-0.59, -0.09]; p = 0.008), with 38 % of patients demonstrating a clinically relevant decrease in HbA1c levels of 0.5 %. There were no significant improvements in BMI or BP. 
 

CONCLUSIONS: Participation in this clinic-community Food is Medicine intervention was associated with improvements in HbA1c in Latinx patients and increased engagement in behavioral lifestyle choices for disease management.