Abbott and its foundation the Abbott Fund launched the Healthy Food Rx to offer home-delivered medical prescriptions of healthy food every other week for one year to help in diabetes management
Abbott's multi-year food as medicine programme shows promising results in diabetes patients. (Credit: Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay)
Healthcare company Abbott said that its multi-year food as medicine programme, Healthy Food Rx, has demonstrated clinically significant improvements in people with diabetes.
Abbott and its foundation the Abbott Fund launched the Healthy Food Rx in 2021 to offer home-delivered medical prescriptions of healthy food every other week for one year to help in diabetes management.
The real-world study was carried out by the Public Health Institute’s Center for Wellness and Nutrition (PHI CWN) in an operational community clinic.
The findings showed that the Healthy Food Rx participants had lower A1C levels, better diabetes self-management, and improved overall diet quality and food security over 12 months.
During the food as medicine initiative, participants with uncontrolled diabetes found their A1C levels reduced by 0.80%, on average.
In the study, 88% of participants said that they follow their meal plan, 78% reported more physical activity and 43% now discuss diabetes management and healthy living.
Additionally, the diabetes patients showed improved fruit intake by 0.28 times per day, and vegetable intake enhanced by 0.14 times per day. The food security rose to 44%.
Abbott global marketing and external affairs VP Melissa Brotz said: “Healthy Food Rx is a strong example of how working side-by-side with communities can break down barriers and help people live healthier.
“We know that Healthy Food Rx is making a meaningful difference for people with diabetes, and we’re also reaching their families with nutritious meals and discussions on healthy eating. We look forward to sharing our learnings and growing our impact.”
With over 450 participants to date, Healthy Food Rx is said to be one of the biggest food as medicine initiatives for diabetics.
Based on the programme’s early outcomes, Abbott and the Abbott Fund are collaborating with partners to extend the programme, with a target of 1,000 more participants by the end of the year.