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Primary Submission Category: Interventions/Programs
Prescription Fruit and Vegetable Program Evaluation of Patient and Community Outcomes in Rural Wisconsin
Authors: Tami Swenson, Kari Due, Tara Draeger, Ian Pfaff,
Presenting Author: Tami Swenson*
In Wisconsin, the Aspirus hospital and clinic service area encompasses 38 of the 72 counties and reaches through the central and northern regions of the state. All five of the top counties in Wisconsin with the highest food insecurity rates as measured by Feeding America are within the service area (Sawyer 12.9% food insecurity rate, Forest 13.2%, Adams 14.0%, Ashland 14.0%, and Menominee 16.1%). Starting in 2014 in Wausau, Aspirus partnered clinical champions with local farmers markets to create a fruit and vegetable prescription (FVRx) program. The thought being that if patients were given a prescription and a resource to purchase produce at the farmers market, it would be a meaningful way to help them actively engage in their health, while supporting the local economy. Over time, the Aspirus FVRx program has expanded to over 20 markets and become a well-known resource for patients, especially those experiencing food insecurity and chronic conditions. This program provides support to patients to make access to produce easier and affordable. As an academic-community partnership, Aspirus and the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point have been able to research and design the FVRx program to best meet the needs of patients, clinical staff, and farmers. The evaluation plan is to determine if the project demonstrates an impact on the short-term and intermediate outcomes of (1) the improvement of dietary health through increased access and consumption of fruits and vegetables and (2) the reduction of individual and household food insecurity; and on the long-term outcomes of (3) improved self-management of diabetes, health behaviors, and health outcomes and (4) reduced health disparities related to type 2 diabetes. Using survey data from program participants and redeemed farmers market vouchers matched to medical records, the finalized results from this currently ongoing evaluation will be presented.