Food is Medicine Program

Program overview

The Nutrition Science Team at The George Institute for Global Health are leading an innovative research initiative centred on food-based interventions, known as ‘Food is Medicine’.

‘Food is Medicine’ programs aim to treat diet-related diseases and reduce food insecurity by providing people with the nutritious foods they need – prescribed just like medicine. These programs often include nutrition education and are subsidised by healthcare systems as part of treatment.

Depending on a person’s medical needs and preferences, they may receive:

• Medically tailored meals, or
• Produce prescriptions (e.g., fresh fruits and vegetables)

Australians do not eat enough fruits and vegetables with only 5% eating the recommended amount. And access to nutritious foods is a challenge faced by up to one in four low income Australian households who experience food insecurity. These challenges are major contributors to Australia’s growing burden of chronic, non-communicable disease.

By integrating ‘Food is Medicine’ into Australian healthcare, we can address the root causes of many chronic conditions – improving lives and reducing pressure on the health system.

Expected Outcomes

Evidence shows that ‘Food is Medicine’ programs:

• Improve diet quality and health outcomes for people with or at risk of diet-related disease
• Reduce healthcare costs by reducing hospitalisations
• Help ease cost-of-living pressures for vulnerable households
• Enhance patient experience and satisfaction with healthcare services
• Are highly acceptable to patients and providers

Together with healthcare partners, The George Institute for Global Health has established ‘Food is Medicine’ as an evidence-based, innovative approach to increase access to nutritious food and manage diet-related diseases. Our initial focus has been on supporting adults with type 2 diabetes and pregnant mothers at risk of gestational diabetes. We aim to expand to other priority populations, including survivors of heart attack and stroke.

We are proud to be leading the way as the only research team in Australia running clinical trials in this space. With expanded government support, this life-changing healthcare solution could benefit millions of Australians.