Improvements in glycosylated hemoglobin A1c and blood pressure as measured through electronic health records across four produce prescription projects in the northeastern and Western United States

Top Things to Know

The significant reductions in HbA1c and blood pressure show that PRx interventions act as therapeutic nutrition treatments.

PRx programs not only improve diet but also reduce risk for costly, high‑acuity complications among the sickest patients.

The successful use of EHR data shows that PRx can be monitored like any other clinical intervention, strengthening the case for integrating FIM programs into health systems, payor models, and chronic disease management pathways.

Summary of Conclusion/Findings

This multi‑site analysis evaluated 2,218 participants enrolled in four Produce Prescription (PRx) programs across nine clinics in the northeastern and western United States, using electronic health record (EHR) data to measure changes in HbA1c and blood pressure. The study found a clinically and statistically significant reduction in HbA1c of 0.5 percentage points overall, with participants starting above 9% experiencing the largest improvement (1.9 points). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure also declined significantly, with the greatest reductions observed among participants with baseline stage 2 hypertension (SBP −10.7 mmHg; DBP −5.7 mmHg). These results indicate that increased access to fresh fruits and vegetables through PRx programs can meaningfully improve cardiometabolic biomarkers. The study concludes that EHR‑based monitoring strengthens the evidence that PRx programs can reduce chronic disease burden and should be integrated more fully into routine clinical care.