Awareness of “Food Is Medicine” Programs Is Low, But Interest Is High

There is significant interest in "Food Is Medicine" (FIM) programs among adults with diet-sensitive chronic health conditions, and involving patients in the design of these programs is key to ensuring they effectively meet patient needs, according to a report published by the Urban Institute.¹ Survey data and interviews highlighted the program aspects people value most to inform future designs.

FIM programs aim to address barriers to eating healthy food, including food and nutrition insecurity, as well as access to healthy foods.² Diet is a major risk factor for a range of chronic diseases, which put a significant financial burden on the US health care system, and even small improvements can make a substantial difference.

Although policymakers have shown support for Food Is Medicine programs, the patient perspective on these programs has historically been a knowledge gap. | Image Credit: Daniel Vincek - stock.adobe.com

Although policymakers have shown support for FIM programs, which aim to provide individuals with nutritious food to improve health, there has historically been a knowledge gap in patient awareness, interest, and perceptions of FIM programs, the authors explained.¹ As FIM programs gain traction, the new report provided insight on patient perspectives by combining nationally representative survey data with in-depth qualitative interviews.

The authors used survey data from the Urban Institute’s December 2024 Well-Being and Basic Needs Survey (WBNS) and from telephone interviews with 20 survey respondents conducted in March and April 2025. The qualitative interview participants had all been diagnosed with at least 1 of 4 diet-sensitive chronic health conditions—diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol—and reported experiencing household food insecurity within the previous year. The study focused on adults aged 18 to 64 years.

“The interviews explored their interactions with health care professionals, challenges they faced in following health care providers’ recommendations to change their diets, perceptions of various FIM programs, and qualities they would value if an FIM program were offered to them,” the authors explained.

Significant Patient Interest in Food Is Medicine Programs

The findings showed a significant interest in FIM programs, but low awareness. Of the survey respondents, only 17% reported having heard about FIM programs such as medically tailored meals, medically tailored groceries, and/or food prescription programs. This included 21% of food-insecure adults with diet-sensitive conditions. Awareness of these programs was often through doctor’s offices, clinics, or hospitals (21%) or a health plan (19%).

Most respondents with food insecurity and diet-sensitive conditions (81%) expressed interest in medically tailored meals, groceries, or food prescriptions if recommended by a health care provider. Additionally, 54% of food-insecure survey respondents with diet-sensitive conditions reported that there was a time they wanted help getting enough food in the past year. However, some interview participants said they were not comfortable talking to a provider about getting help with food due to the stigma associated with food insecurity or because they thought providers would not be able to help.

What Makes a Food Is Medicine Program Effective?

According to the survey, the most important aspects of FIM program design are access to low-cost or free food, which about 8 in 10 adults considered important, and the choice of food items, which 9 of 10 respondents considered important. Some interview participants noted that opportunities to choose from a greater variety of items and the ability to shop at multiple locations are aspects that make them more interested in food prescriptions vs medically tailored meals and groceries. Others reported interest in multiple program types so they could balance choice with convenience.

Additionally, 74% of all adults and 78% of food-insecure adults with diet-sensitive conditions notes the importance of FIM programs including enough food for other people in their families. In qualitative interviews, some said they would prefer programs tailored to individual household members and their specific health conditions. Non-White patients were more likely to report that is was important for FIM programs to offer culturally tailored food.

“These findings demonstrate significant interest in programs to support healthier diets, particularly among adults with chronic diet-sensitive conditions, at a time when food prices have risen sharply and federal nutrition and health care programs for low-income families face unprecedented budget cuts,” the authors wrote. “As the FIM field evolves, it will be important to identify program design elements that align with patients’ needs and preferences to increase participation in FIM programs and enhance their potential to improve dietary and health outcomes.”

References

1. Gupta P, Karpman M, Waxman E, et al. Public perceptions of ‘Food Is Medicine’ programs and implications for policy: insights from the Well-Being and Basic Needs Survey and qualitative interviews. Urban Institute. August 2025. Accessed August 28, 2025. https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/2025-08/Public%20Perceptions%20of%20%E2%80%98Food%20Is%20Medicine%E2%80%99%20Programs%20and%20Implications%20for%20Policy.pdf

2. Volpp KG, Berkowitz SA, Sharma SV, et al. Food Is Medicine: a presidential advisory from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2023;148(18):1417-1439. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000001182