Food is Medicine
A Hospital’s Role in Healing Through Nutrition
Hospitals are trusted pillars of their communities. By integrating Food is Medicine practices, they can lead the movement to treat food as a key part of health care.
What is Food is Medicine (FIM)?
Food is Medicine refers to a spectrum of food-based interventions integrated into health care to prevent, manage, or treat chronic diseases. These include programs such as:
- Medically Tailored Meals
- Produce Prescription Programs (RxProduce)
- Nutrition Incentives at Clinics or Pharmacies
- On-site Teaching Kitchens and Cooking Classes
Get involved
The Food is Medicine initiative is bringing stakeholders across Kentucky together to focus on advancing better nutrition, a stronger local food infrastructure, and ultimately better health outcomes.
Why It Matters for Hospitals
Improved Patient Outcomes
Proper nutrition improves management of diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic conditions.
Reduced Readmissions
Nutrition support post-discharge reduces costly hospital readmissions.
Advanced Health Equity
FIM reaches vulnerable populations impacted by food insecurity and diet-related illnesses.
Support for Value-Based Care
FIM reaches vulnerable populations impacted by food insecurity and diet-related illnesses.
Stronger Community Relationships
FIM positions hospitals as leaders in addressing social drivers of health (SDOH).
Bottom Line
The Food is Medicine initiative in Kentucky is an all-hands on deck approach to provide Kentuckians not only access to local and healthier foods but to use it to produce better health.
For more information or to connect with local partners and funding resources, contact:
Morgan Bray
Food is Medicine Program Coordinator
859-582-2950
mbray@kyha.com
