Food insecurity has become a pervasive issue that extends beyond mere hunger; it encompasses the lack of access to nutritious food. Understanding this, the Cleveland Clinic has embarked on an initiative that positions food as not just sustenance but as medicine for the community. Vickie Johnson, the clinic’s executive vice president and chief community officer, emphasizes the foundational need for everyone to access nutritious food, stating, “We look at food as medicine.” This philosophy aligns with a growing trend in healthcare that recognizes food and nutrition’s pivotal role in enhancing long-term health outcomes.
Addressing Food Deserts in Cleveland
Cleveland’s Fairfax neighborhood exemplifies the challenges faced by many urban communities. Historically, this area lacked a full-service grocery store, resulting in residents relying on convenience stores and gas stations for their daily meals. In 2018, the Cleveland Clinic engaged with the community to identify their greatest needs, and the resounding feedback was clear: the clinic needed to facilitate access to a quality grocery retailer.
Despite the challenges in attracting business to a neighborhood deemed unprofitable, Cleveland Clinic leveraged its role as an anchor institution to turn the tide. By analyzing workforce, patient, and visitor data, they successfully attracted a monumental 40,000-square-foot Meijer grocery store to the area. This initiative not only brought fresh food options to the community for the first time in 30 years but also created over 50 new jobs and eliminated the community’s “food desert” status.
Expanding Beyond Clinical Care
Cleveland Clinic’s food-as-medicine strategy is comprehensive, venturing beyond traditional healthcare settings to consider food access from multiple perspectives. The clinic ensures that:
- At the Bedside: Patients are provided with nutritious meals during their hospital stays.
- On Campus: Healthy dining options are available for families and caregivers.
- In the Community: Collaborations with local vendors and organizations, such as the American Heart Association, facilitate cooking demonstrations and nutrition education in local libraries and community centers.
"We want to go where people are so that we have the greater opportunity to have an impact on the health outcomes," remarked Johnson. This proactive and community-oriented approach allows Cleveland Clinic to reach individuals in their own neighborhoods and make meaningful health interventions.
Targeted Programs for Mothers and Children
Recognizing the vital link between nutrition and maternal and child health, the Cleveland Clinic has launched the Healthy Moms and Healthy Babies program. This initiative provides pregnant women with $200 per month for healthy groceries, along with support from community health workers.
Through this targeted support, Cleveland Clinic aims to establish lasting behavioral changes in eating habits and food purchasing decisions. Johnson states, “When we change behavior and recognize, ‘I’m actually going to change how I eat and what I purchase,’ we can expect… an increase in the birth weight of the newborn, and a healthier community at the end of this work.” This program underscores the clinic’s commitment to fostering healthier generations.
Measuring Long-Term Impact
Unlike surgical or pharmaceutical interventions, the beneficial outcomes of food and nutrition initiatives often require a longer time to manifest. Johnson acknowledges that patience and persistence are critical in this endeavor. Tracking success can sometimes seem daunting, as even small changes may go unnoticed in broader statistics. However, she emphasizes the importance of celebrating each individual milestone, remarking, “Sometimes we get caught up in huge numbers, but every success is huge to that individual.”
Cleveland Clinic focuses on several indicators to measure impact, including short-term outcomes such as increased knowledge, behavior change, and access to nutritious food. Over time, they also track long-term outcomes like reduced medication needs and healthier pregnancies, allowing them to quantify the holistic benefits of their food-as-medicine initiatives.
Key Takeaways for Healthcare Leaders
Cleveland Clinic’s approach to food as medicine can serve as a model for healthcare systems nationwide. Here are several considerations for leaders in this field:
Holistic Perspective on Food: Address food beyond just hunger; emphasize the importance of providing access to nutritious food options that contribute to long-term health.
Leveraging Anchor Status: Health institutions can utilize their community presence and relationships with patients and vendors to attract sustainable grocery and retail partners.
Outreach Beyond Hospital Walls: Implement educational programs, cooking demonstrations, and community partnerships to reach individuals in their neighborhoods.
Design Targeted Programs: Focus on vulnerable populations like mothers, infants, and children who are most in need of nutritional support.
- Measure Progress with Patience: Document small victories and behavior changes that collectively contribute to building healthier communities over time.
Conclusion
The Cleveland Clinic’s commitment to treating food as medicine reflects a transformative approach to health care, addressing food insecurity, and promoting community wellness. By recognizing that access to nutritious food is essential for overall health, the clinic is making strides toward a healthier community and setting a precedent for how healthcare can engage with local populations. The implications of such work could potentially ripple outward, inspiring other health systems to adopt similar initiatives aimed at not only healing but also nourishing community health.
