We are so excited to share our article, “A Recipe For Successful Food Is Medicine Programs: Food Plus People,” is live in Health Affairs!
Food Is Medicine programs are fast growing intervention models intended to eliminate growing food-based disparities and their related chronic illnesses, but a major drawback is the model’s lack of co-creation with and for local ecosystems, from the individual to community. Together with Olivia Thomas from Boston Medical Center, Benaye Wadkins of Crossroads Community Services, and Dr. Jaclyn Albin at the Culinary Medicine program at UT Southwestern, we shared our common perspectives on the value of incorporating a human centered approach to Food is Medicine. This includes intentionally diversifying our health systems and health recommendations, transforming clinical visits to reflect a community gathering of shared values and strategies, and investing in the economic development of local food ecosystems that shift power back to community. Through this publication, we critique and change the narrative around Food is Medicine from being the gold standard for innovative food interventions to a stepping stone for greater community food justice work.
Full article: https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/recipe-successful-food-medicine-programs-food-plus-people