Optimizing Navigation and Text Messaging Interventions to Promote Participation in a Food Is Medicine Program Among People Participating in Cardiac Rehabilitation: Human-Centered Design Study

Top Things to Know

Addressing real-world barriers (e.g., cost, access, logistical constraints) is critical for FIM participation.

Tailoring food offerings, communication, and support to individuals’ cultural preferences, health needs, and daily realities is essential.

Clear, empathetic messaging and strong coordination between healthcare providers and FIM programs can build trust, reduce burden, and improve long-term engagement.

Summary of Conclusion/Findings

This qualitative human-centered design study examined how to optimize navigation and text messaging interventions to improve initiation, engagement, and retention in a Food is Medicine (FIM) program among cardiac rehabilitation patients. Through iterative design sessions with participants, the study found that while individuals generally valued healthy eating and believed FIM programs could improve health, multiple barriers influenced participation, including the high cost of healthy foods, limited local access, and competing lifestyle demands. Social influences (eg, family and clinicians), cultural food preferences, and individual capacity to prepare healthy meals also shaped participants’ engagement with dietary interventions. Participants emphasized that effective program design must address logistical and structural needs (eg, flexibility in scheduling, culturally appropriate foods, and easier navigation of food resources) alongside personalized support. Feedback led to refined interventions, including clearer, more empathetic navigation scripts and concise, positively framed text messages that provided actionable guidance and reinforced trust. Overall, the findings highlight that FIM participation is driven not just by education, but by addressing practical barriers, enhancing communication, and tailoring interventions to individual contexts.