Health Outcomes of Produce Prescription Programs Associated with Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program Funding

Top Things to Know

While still limited, some studies show that produce prescriptions can lead to measurable improvements in chronic disease markers like blood sugar and weight—validating the concept of food as a therapeutic intervention.

Preliminary findings suggest that PPRs may reduce emergency and hospital visits, indicating that food-based interventions could alleviate strain on the healthcare system.

To fully integrate food is medicine into healthcare, more rigorous research is needed to quantify the long-term health and cost-saving benefits of produce prescriptions.

Summary of Conclusion/Findings

The systematic review of 16 studies evaluating health outcomes associated with Produce Prescription Programs (PPRs) funded by the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP). The review found that while program designs varied and methodological rigor was often limited, some evidence supports the effectiveness of PPRs. Specifically, fewer than half of the studies measuring clinical outcomes showed statistically significant improvements—such as reductions in weight, BMI, or HbA1c levels. Only three studies examined healthcare utilization, with two reporting reduced hospitalizations or emergency department visits. Overall, the evidence base is still emerging, but early findings suggest PPRs may contribute to improved health outcomes. The authors call for more rigorous, large-scale studies to better understand the clinical and economic impacts of these programs.