Food As Medicine Study

Study Summary

The investigators are conducting a pre-randomized controlled trial to assess the effect of a 6 month Produce Prescription intervention for patients enrolled in Medicaid who experience consistently uncontrolled Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). The study is conducted at Kaiser Permanente Southern California, a large and diverse integrated health care system that serves 4.7 million members. Eligible participants are members aged 18 or older, currently enrolled in Medicaid who were diagnosed with diabetes for at least 24 months and had at least two Hba1c measurements of 7.5% or higher in the past 12 months. Patients in the intervention arm may enroll in tele nutrition counseling. The study team will recruit a total of 450. Participants, will be pre-randomized into one of three arms, 1) high dose intervention arm, a 2) low dose intervention and 3) a usual care group to achieve 150 participants enrolled in each arm. Produce is delivered weekly for participants of both intervention arms. Participants randomized to the high dose arm will receive a greater amount per month of produce versus the low dose amount (for a family of 3-4, $180 per month versus $135 respectively). Foods are provided along with recipes. The amount of food delivered is adjusted for each additional family member for up to 5 family members. The primary outcome is change in hemoglobin A1c pre-intervention and 6 months after enrollment. Secondary outcomes include, food insecurity status, dietary intake and other patient reported outcomes related to barriers to healthy eating including family conflict and cooking habits.

Primary Outcome

Both intervention and control participants will have their HbA1c tested at baseline and 6 months after the baseline assessment.

Interventions

• OTHER Produce prescription (weekly produce delivery)