Virginia Commonwealth University’s “Filling a prescription for nutrition” article highlights how a Produce Prescription Plan is being used to address food insecurity as a key driver of chronic disease in Richmond, Virginia. The program, led by VCU’s Mobile Health and Wellness team in partnership with community organizations, screens patients for food insecurity and then “prescribes” weekly boxes of fruits and vegetables, along with nutrition education and support. Early findings suggest that these produce prescriptions can improve access to healthy food, support better diet quality, and help manage conditions like diabetes and hypertension, while also building trust between patients, clinicians, and community partners
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