The Delaware Food Farmacy: Integrating Medically Tailored Groceries and Community Health Workers into Chronic Disease Management

Top Things to Know

Providing DASH-aligned groceries led to measurable reductions in HbA1c and BMI, reinforcing that food prescriptions can function as a therapeutic intervention for chronic disease management.

A 15% improvement in food security highlights that addressing access to healthy foods is not just a social service but a clinical strategy to reduce disparities and improve overall health.

Significant reductions in depression and anxiety underscore that FIM interventions can support mental health, especially when paired with CHW-led coaching and culturally responsive education.

Summary of Conclusion/Findings

The Delaware Food Farmacy (DFF) program evaluated the impact of medically tailored groceries combined with community health worker (CHW) support on adults with diabetes, hypertension, or heart failure. Over six months, 185 participants received weekly DASH-aligned grocery deliveries, cooking tools, and personalized coaching. Results showed significant improvements in food security (15% increase in food-secure households), depression (PHQ-9 scores decreased by 2.19 points), anxiety (GAD-7 scores decreased by 1.76 points), BMI (reduced by 1.44 kg/m²), and HbA1c (decreased by 0.52%). Blood pressure reductions were observed but not statistically significant. Goal completion averaged 84%, and satisfaction exceeded 90%, indicating strong engagement and acceptability. The study concludes that medically tailored grocery programs integrated into healthcare systems can improve health and social outcomes for low-income, medically complex populations and offer a scalable, equity-focused model for chronic disease management.