Tricia C. Elliott MD, FAAFP – Primary Care
As we continue our work in healthcare, the concept of “food as medicine” is emerging as a critical component in the broader framework of health equity. This approach acknowledges that access to nutritious food is not merely a lifestyle choice but a fundamental determinant of health. For many, food insecurity — stemming from systemic disparities rooted in socioeconomic, racial, and geographic factors — translates directly into poor health outcomes. In this context, the food as medicine approach is an essential step toward reducing preventable health disparities and shifts from being a clinical intervention to a social imperative.
Health disparities, as we know, are preventable differences in the burden of disease, opportunities for care, and overall health outcomes. At the core of these disparities is unequal access to resources, including healthy food. The operative word here, as always, is “preventable.” Addressing the gaps in food access involves expanding our focus beyond clinical care to tackling the social drivers of health. These drivers account for at least 50% of overall health outcomes, underscoring the profound influence of factors like food insecurity on individual and population health.
Food as medicine initiatives are gaining traction as practical, actionable strategies to combat chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. But to truly have an impact, these initiatives must also address the root causes of food insecurity, such as systemic inequities in income, education, and housing. For example, integrating medically tailored meals or prescription produce programs into clinical care is not just a matter of nutrition; it is a direct investment in health equity.
Our response to this issue must also involve interdisciplinary approaches. Addressing food insecurity requires us to engage beyond the walls of the clinic and into partnerships with community organizations, policymakers, and food systems stakeholders. By doing so, we can create solutions that are sustainable and culturally relevant, ensuring that they resonate with and benefit the communities we serve.
As federal and state regulators begin to incorporate health equity into compliance standards, we have an opportunity — and an obligation — to ensure these efforts go beyond checkbox exercises. The goal must be to design targeted, feasible, and transformative interventions. Food as medicine offers a compelling pathway but only if implemented within a health equity framework that prioritizes community engagement, accountability, and systemic change.
Addressing food insecurity is a vital pillar in achieving health equity. Ultimately, we can reimagine a healthcare system that nourishes not just individuals, but entire communities, creating a healthier and more equitable future for all.
