4/09/2024 –
Researchers with UTHealth Houston School of Public Health are spearheading efforts in Texas to test the effectiveness of Food is Medicine interventions to improve maternal and infant health outcomes.
Research funding to support these efforts are a part of the American Heart Association’s $7.8 million national initiative to expand Food is Medicine projects under its Health Care by Food program. Public health researchers have embarked on groundbreaking efforts to enhance health outcomes by way of nutrition.
Researchers are actively engaged in food-based interventions like food prescription plans and other resource designs to mitigate the impacts of food insecurity and chronic health conditions.
Shreela Sharma, Ph.D., RDN, LD, professor and vice chair of the Department of Epidemiology, was awarded $430,452 for the project “Testing the Impact of TBES (text-based engagement strategies) Rx.” This project will test the impact of high-frequency messaging with cardholders on activity and utilization to increase fruit and vegetable consumption for high-risk pregnant mothers. Outcomes from the study will be used to build similar messaging platforms to boost healthy eating habits. “This project will test strategies to enhance engagement in produce prescription programs, and assess optimal dosage and delivery strategies,” said Sharma, who also serves as director for the Center for Health Equity…
