04/14/26
Evidence increasingly supports PRx for improving diet and FI among low-income adults with chronic conditions. A recent review found that > 70% of PRx studies increased fruit and vegetable (FV) intake (mean + 0.85 cups/day), and reduced FI odds by about one-third. Some studies also report cardiometabolic benefits (e.g., reductions in blood pressure and A1c), though results are mixed, reflecting differences in populations, dose, and intensity. Mental health impacts remain underexplored, and few evaluations focus on Medicaid beneficiaries. There is a bidirectional relationship between FI and mental health: FI can worsen anxiety and depression, while poor mental health can hinder self-management, making assessment of psychosocial outcomes critical.
This study addresses these gaps by evaluating Fresh Food Rx (FFRx), a community-health system partnership designed to address dietary, psychological, and cardiometabolic risk factors among Medicaid-insured adults experiencing FI. Grounded in behavioral theory, FFRx integrates produce access with individualized and group-based nutrition support. Using a prospective, matched cohort design, this study evaluated the impact of FFRx on food security, diet quality, psychological outcomes,healthcare utilization, and cardiovascular risk over 12 months……
Read full article at Journal of General Internal Medicine
