common physicians’ comments
Last year, we launched a population health movement to address social factors that can make it difficult for many of the people we serve to live healthy lives. Our goal is to create health hubs at our hospitals and health centers where we can share access to special resources and referrals based on the needs of each community.
Our Food Farmacy program at Strawberry Health Center provides living proof of the concept. Through this innovative program, physicians refer diabetes patients with A1c levels above 7 who also struggle with access to fresh fruits and vegetables and other food staples they need to have a healthy diet.
So far, graduating patients are showing improvements in their A1c numbers and have learned valuable new skills and knowledge for healthier living. We’re assessing the results to help us improve and expand the program.
Plans for expansion include the opening of two new Food Farmacy locations, one at Acres Home Health Center (August 2020) and another at Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital (early 2021).
To keep the program safely up and running during COVID-19, Harris Health provided curbside delivery and switched to virtual cooking classes.
Our team helps participants learn about the importance of eating well to improve their overall health by offering:
Tips for smarter, healthier shopping
30 pounds of healthy food items every other week
Cooking classes using fresh fruits and vegetables
common patients’ comments
