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news.MissionPoint Health Partners, a subsidiary of Ascension Health, the nation’s largest non-profit healthcare system, has created a partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee to study the impact of nutrition on the healthcare organization’s food-insecure patients with hypertension or congestive heart failure (CHF), officials announced.
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"Our goal is to help MissionPoint members improve their health status," said Jason Dinger, CEO of MissionPoint Health Partners. "In our experience with managing the health of populations, we know there are many factors – both clinical and non-clinical – that impact patients’ well-being. We’re excited by the opportunity to work with a proven partner like Second Harvest to learn more about the impact food access has on one’s health condition."
Throughout the eight-week study, 37 dual-eligible MissionPoint members with hypertension or CHF, and each member of their household, will receive seven low-sodium, low-fat meals per week. Meals will be delivered weekly by MissionPoint, and one of the organization’s Health Partners will measure members’ weight and blood pressure during each home visit. To measure outcomes, participants will complete a brief survey on disease symptoms, activities of daily living, exercise, medication use and visits to the doctor.
"This partnership reflects Second Harvest’s desire to learn more about the innovative ways we can help healthcare organizations fulfill their mission, while also furthering our own commitment to feed the hungry and solve hunger issues in Middle Tennessee," said Jaynee K. Day, President & CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. "Nashville is the healthcare capital of the United States. As our country’s healthcare delivery system transforms, we think there is a unique role for our community to play in developing innovative solutions such as this one."
According to a recent study by Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee and Feeding America:
- The number of clients facing medical issues in the Second Harvest service area is much greater than the national average. For example, 38 percent of households include a member with diabetes (the national average is 33 percent) and 71 percent of households have a member with high blood pressure (the national average is 58 percent).
- Illnesses and medical disorders can present substantial financial challenges, forcing tough choices and tradeoffs to keep food on the table. Eighty percent of households report choosing between food and medicine or medical care in the last 12 months.
- Additionally, households report using unhealthy coping strategies to avoid hunger. The most common one is purchasing inexpensive or unhealthy foods, but clients also report watering down food and drinks, which significantly decreases the nutritional value.
While the pilot program is currently targeting low income MissionPoint members in Davidson County, MissionPoint and Second Harvest will explore how the program can be replicated to communities across the country.