Democrats and Republicans support Food is Medicine in fight against chronic diseases

US citizens of all demographics and political backgrounds see Food is Medicine programs as an effective, commonsense part of treating and managing chronic illness. A consumer survey commissioned by The Rockefeller Foundation finds that nearly 9 in 10 patients prefer to rely more on healthy eating rather than medications to manage their condition. 

More than four in five respondents believe healthcare should offer more food and nutrition programs to manage and treat illnesses. Moreover, 79% — including 85% of Democrats and 78% of Republicans — think Food is Medicine programs should be covered by private and public insurance. 

The nationally representative survey included 2,271 respondents across all 50 states, including 1,135 patients and 399 healthcare providers. 

At the same time, awareness of Food is Medicine remains low, with only 13% of the public and 32% of healthcare workers knowing the term before the survey. 

Amid this strong public support for nutrition support, the Republican-led US House Agriculture Committee recently proposed to cut US$290 billion from the country’s most extensive food program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and shift this toward farm policy over ten years. While the House of Representatives has passed the bill, it is yet to go through the Senate. 

Benefits of nutrition programs

The survey describes Food is Medicine as a way to treat and prevent diet-related medical conditions by providing patients with access to healthy foods, education on cooking and nutrition, and support to adopt daily healthy eating habits. 

Elements of these programs include medically tailored meals — customized meals for patients with various diet-related diseases — and produce prescription programs, which expand access to fruits and vegetables. 

After being presented with this definition, 85% of healthcare workers wanted to recommend such programs, and 84% of the public said it could help improve the quality of health in the US. 

Survey respondents saw the value of Food is Medicine, with 79% of the public saying these initiatives could help them eat better.The respondents believe healthcare providers must prescribe Food is Medicine programs — 84% of the public say doctors should take an active role in helping patients improve their diets. Although 46% of patients say they are willing to adjust their diets, 25% of healthcare providers believe their patients are very willing to follow through. 

Researchers estimate that nutritional interventions can save healthcare costs by preventing hospitalizations due to chronic diseases. For example, one paper estimates that medically tailored meals could save US$32 billion in healthcare costs in one year if implemented nationwide. 

Using a simulation model, experts predicted that a produce prescription program could prevent 296,000 cases of cardiovascular diseases and save US$40 billion in healthcare costs. 

Patients participating in the study believe successful nutrition programs would make them feel better (60%) and gain more control over their health (55%). However, all participants highlight that the high cost of food is the most significant obstacle to eating well. 

Growing Food is Medicine movement

The new survey follows earlier consumer research from the Food is Medicine Institute, which found widespread support across US adults for food-based nutrition interventions. Earlier this year, almost 90% of respondents said that eating healthy foods is key to preventing obesity, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes. 

Last month, researchers advocated for a wider deployment of Food is Medicine programs, although they cautioned that the food processing industry and supply chains need to adapt to such scenarios. They called for a shift to producing more health-promoting foods, like fruits and vegetables, and other whole or minimally processed foods. 

To expand awareness of these programs, the US Food is Medicine Institute and other stakeholders organized an advocacy day on Capitol Hill, US, encouraging policymakers and healthcare providers to expand their implementation.