What's Happening?
Elevance Health has announced the expansion of its food as medicine program to community health centers, focusing on Medicaid members at risk for diet-related chronic conditions. In collaboration with the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC), Elevance Health will train primary provider teams to offer personalized nutrition support. This initiative includes medically tailored interventions, coaching, and referrals, with telehealth integration to enhance access. The partnership aims to improve patient engagement, reduce chronic disease, and strengthen preventive health support. Elevance Health's philanthropic division will provide a six-month grant to NACHC to develop a scalable food as medicine model.
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Why It's Important?
The integration of food as medicine into primary care represents a significant shift in addressing nutrition as a clinical factor in health outcomes. By focusing on diet-related chronic conditions, Elevance Health aims to improve patient health and reduce healthcare costs associated with chronic diseases. This initiative highlights the growing recognition of the link between nutrition and health, encouraging other healthcare providers to adopt similar models. The collaboration with NACHC seeks to establish a national model for food as medicine care support, potentially influencing public health policy and community health practices.
What's Next?
Elevance Health and NACHC plan to establish a Nutrition Center of Excellence, serving as a replicative model for food as medicine care support nationwide. This development may lead to increased adoption of nutrition-based interventions in healthcare settings, promoting preventive care and reducing the prevalence of chronic diseases. As the program progresses, stakeholders, including healthcare providers, policymakers, and community organizations, will likely evaluate its effectiveness and scalability, potentially influencing future healthcare strategies and funding priorities.
