National Health Outreach and Engagement Conference 2024

Introduction: West Virginia is one of the most challenged states in the nation in terms of its persistently high rates of chronic disease, poverty, and food insecurity. Limited access to healthy, affordable food leaves many to rely on convenience stores, gas stations and charitable assistance as their primary source of nutrition. Food deserts and poverty lie at the heart of poor-quality diets in our state, demonstrating the need to improve food access for those who are most vulnerable.
Approach: FARMacy WV, a 15-week produce prescription program, is designed to serve those with or at risk for chronic conditions and food insecurity through: 1) increased access/availability of fresh, locally grown produce; and 2) a series of nutrition education and culinary instruction sessions. Clinical measures and assessments of dietary behaviors and food insecurity are collected pre and post-program. HIPAA-compliant software and standardized data collection processes facilitate analyses of common measures across all program sites.
Results: From 2020-2022, 21 health centers provided the program to over 750 patients. Data from a subset of 12 health centers demonstrated improvements in: HbA1c control (0.5%, n=538); body weight (2.1 lbs., n=503); and total cholesterol (4.8 mg/dL, n=414). Improvements in food security and diet quality have also been observed. Additionally, local farmers have been paid almost $300,000 for the 220,000 pounds of fresh food that has been provided to program participants.
Conclusion: Partners in Extension, agriculture, health care, and Public Health have come together to help improve the health of high-risk patients in some of West Virginia’s most rural communities.