Hawaiʻi residents with hypertension who struggle to afford healthy food will soon receive fresh produce prescriptions from their doctors. A new program will provide patients with US$100 per month in vouchers to buy fruits, vegetables, and poi at local farmers' markets and grocery stores.
The initiative is supported by a US$2.8 million grant awarded to researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa's College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR). The study aims to create culturally relevant health interventions by directly connecting nutrition and healthcare for those facing both hypertension and food insecurity.
The program will be implemented at three community health centers: Waiʻanae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, Waimānalo Health Center, and Hamakua Kohala Health Center. Community health workers will be trained to help patients use the vouchers, which will be distributed monthly for 12 months.
Monica Esquivel, associate professor in CTAHR's Department of Human Nutrition, Food, and Animal Sciences, is leading the project. As a registered dietitian, she said she saw patients who wanted to eat healthier but could not afford fresh food. "If you don't have enough money to get food, then your stress is high, and then it's really hard to control your blood pressure," Esquivel said. According to her, this approach has been shown to improve diets and health outcomes, reduce food insecurity, and provide an economic boost to local communities through produce sales.
The fruits and vegetables will be sourced from farmers' markets and food hubs in the state. Hawaiʻi's Medicaid program was the first in the United States to require that local produce be prioritized in such initiatives.
"This program helps close the gaps caused by food insecurity by making fresh, local produce more accessible. It supports our patients' health and strengthens our community," said Alicia Higa, executive director of ʻElepaio Social Services and chief community health officer at the Waiʻanae Coast Comprehensive Health Center.
Mary Oneha, CEO of Waimānalo Health Center, added, "Continuous access to locally grown fruits and vegetables is a challenge for many families. Efforts by Waimanalo Health Center to have locally grown fruits and vegetables readily available have filled a need for many families. We are thrilled to partner with the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience on a 'produce prescription' program to help people address high blood pressure."
Source: MauiNow