LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky has launched the Food as Health Alliance, where researchers will collaborate with local clinicians, community partners, food commodity producers, healthcare partners and students, to address food insecurity and chronic-related diseases in the Commonwealth.

“Specifically, researchers, clinicians, healthcare, community partners, and students will explore innovative strategies to improve patient clinical outcomes and the health of Kentuckians,” Alison Gustafson, University of Kentucky professor of dietetics and human nutrition, and Food as Health Alliance program director, told Farm World.

“This will be accomplished by addressing the larger construct of food security, food access, agriculture, and expanding the concept of food as health, through the food as medicine framework intersection of food and health,” she said.

She said the alliance started in the fall of 2022 as a response to food insecurity and recurring diet-sensitive disease, while at the same time responding to the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health.

According to recent studies, there are a variety of negative health consequences related to food insecurity, which, she said, “is why this is such an important priority for us.”

She said poor nutrition leads to a variety of health problems, such as birth defects, anemia, nutrient deficiencies, cognitive issues, aggression and anxiety in children. In adults, it can increase the risk of depression, nutrient deficiency, and chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

James Matthews, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment associate dean for research, said there is a lack of application of clinical and community research findings to diet-related chronic disease and food insecurity.

“The mission of the Food as Health Alliance is to increase and sustain UK’s impact in the interdisciplinary arena of food, agriculture and health for everyone across the Commonwealth,” he said.

Gustafson said the alliance has four pillars: policy, research, training and education, and outreach.

“Through our research efforts connecting clinical partners to referral for food-as-medicine programming with community partners such as various agriculture, food distribution, and processing, we will create scalable and affordable food-as-health programming to reduce food insecurity,” she said. “This will also help to inform policy for lasting and sustainable change.”

She said food insecurity is associated with 10 of the costliest and most deadly preventable diseases.

“In addition, diet-affected heath conditions cost the U.S. over a trillion dollars in direct medical expenses each year,” she said. “Produce prescription and medically tailored meal programs have early promise at reducing health care costs, and improving clinical outcomes.

“Yet, there remain many key questions related to implementation and delivery among rural and urban communities,” she added. “In addition, key partnerships still need to be established to sustain long-term delivery of these food-as-health programs.”

She said key outcomes of the Food as Health Alliance in year one will include:

1) Research development focused on bridging together clinical and community care to reduce food insecurity, health disparities, and diet-sensitive outcomes among residents of Kentucky through food-as-medicine programs (i.e., meal box delivery tailored for diet-sensitive diseases);

2) Networking events to improve transdisciplinary work across the state;

3) Training activities to improve clinician, students’, and patients’ understanding of food-as-health framework; and

4) Outreach programs to improve patient adherence to programs, and improve clinical outcomes.

Lauren Batey, Food as Health Alliance program coordinator, said the program will be a huge benefit for those all across the Commonwealth.

“There are so many amazing individuals and organizations, both here at UK and across Kentucky, that are interested in reducing food insecurity, improving diet-related health outcomes, and improving the lives of all Kentuckians,” she said. “Now, we can all work toward a common goal, and leverage one another’s assets.”

She said the alliance is starting to engage students from multiple colleges within the university.

“Soon, we hope to recruit student researchers from both the (College of Agriculture, Food and Environment), as well as the UK Colleges of Medicine, Public Health, Dentistry, Nursing, and others that are interested, to focus on food-as-medicine-type research efforts,” she said.

“We will have opportunities for these students to help with things such as data analysis and patient education, among other program aspects,” she added.

Currently, the University of Kentucky is working with various food venues, and with local businesses and retailers, to pilot-test effective food-as-medicine programs across the state.

Batey said programs such as the Food as Health Alliance not only help people reduce food insecurity, but have significant clinical and financial outcomes, and reduce hospitalization.

“There is strong evidence, from studies across the nation, that programs like this have a significant impact on health and the economy, and we would love to kick something off to help those across Kentucky,” she said.

She added the growing evidence that partnerships between healthcare systems and local food assistance programs can improve dietary health is what led the alliance’s approach to recruiting partners.

“Medically tailored meals, meal box delivery and produce prescription programs can address structural barriers like access to healthy food and transportation, improve glycemic control, hypertension, breast cancer screening, dietary intake, and food security,” she said.

To learn more about the program, visit: https://foodashealthalliance.ca.uky.edu/