HealthyLink-Integrating Food Is Medicine (FIM) Into Inpatient Discharge Process

Top Things to Know

Providing medically tailored groceries immediately post-discharge supports recovery by ensuring patients have access to nutritious food when they are most vulnerable.

Engaging patients and frontline staff in designing FIM programs ensures that food choices are culturally appropriate, health-aligned, and logistically feasible.

Embedding food prescriptions into existing hospital referral systems normalizes nutrition support as part of routine care, reducing stigma and improving uptake.

Summary of Conclusion/Findings

The HealthyLink study piloted a Food Is Medicine (FIM) intervention aimed at bridging the critical 72-hour food gap for food-insecure patients discharged from hospitals. Developed through a co-design process involving patients, social workers, and community leaders, the program partnered with Washington University, BJC HealthCare, and Schnucks grocery chain to deliver heart-healthy, nutrient-dense groceries directly to patients’ homes. Over six months, 90 patients received tailored food deliveries, with high satisfaction rates (86.4%–98.3%) and significant improvements in self-reported physical and mental health. The intervention was integrated into hospital workflows via the Unite Us platform, streamlining referrals and enrollment. While cost-related medication underuse did not change, the program demonstrated feasibility, acceptability, and potential for improving recovery and well-being. The study emphasized the importance of community engagement and delivery logistics in designing sustainable FIM models.