Missouri residents are gaining new insights into the powerful role of food in health care as experts and organizations advocate for a change toward food-as-medicine initiatives.
Kelsey Gardiner is an assistant professor of nursing and health studies at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She has emphasized that access to healthy food is critically important for improved health outcomes. She pointed out that individuals experiencing food insecurity often suffer from higher rates of chronic diseases. This highlights the urgent need for systemic changes to enhance access to healthy food.
Gardiner highlighted the potential of using food as a tool for preventive healthcare, which can help in reducing healthcare costs and chronic conditions. According to recent research, such interventions can lead to $13.6 billion in savings in healthcare costs over a year, along with improved health outcomes. Therefore, it is essential to include these interventions in healthcare strategies to make them more effective.
