Providers give Patients ‘Fresh Prescriptions’
At Henry Ford Hospital, Internal Medicine providers are writing “prescriptions” for fresh fruits and vegetables through the Fresh Prescription program.
Patients take their prescriptions to the Henry Ford campus farmer’s market where they meet with a dietitian, set goals, and receive a $10 gift card for the market. They check in with the dietitian or health educator three more times, and the dietitian re-loads the cards for spending at designated markets and farm stands in Detroit. Because they visit local businesses, patients also interact in the community and support the local economy.
Brenda Williams participated in Fresh Prescription and months later, has continued to eat more fresh vegetables. “It was the nudge I needed. I’m diabetic and the dietitians advised me about different things that would be good for me. I tried asparagus and broccoli, and have continued to eat them. In the evenings, I used to eat a candy bar or some ice cream. Now I eat a veggie.” Williams reports her A1C levels improved and have remained lower.
Internal Medicine resident Jasmine Omar, M.D., says patients usually have one or more chronic conditions, like diabetes and high blood pressure. “Many chronic health conditions can be improved with small changes in diet and nutrition that address the underlying issue. With this knowledge, patients are able to better manage their conditions, now and in the future.”
2017 Fresh Prescription Participant Data
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79 percent were better able to manage their overall health.
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70 percent increased their daily intake of fruits and vegetables.
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60 percent decreased the amount of unhealthy foods eaten daily.
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53 percent decreased the number of sugary beverages they consume per day.
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A subset showed decreases in blood pressure and weight.
The program is part of a network of community partners. Visit ecocenter.org/fresh-prescription. Plans for Fresh Prescription include building on a partnership with Detroit’s Eastern Market Corporation and potentially area grocery stores or farm stands to offer the program year-round and in additional areas.
2017 Community Highlights
More than 1,500 Henry Ford and HAP walkers raised $292,513 at the Kidney Walk.Total walkers and volunteers at this event were 5,500, raising $680,000 – an all-time high.
The System continues to improve birth outcomes in the city of Detroit through the Women Inspired Network (WIN): Detroit. Among participants in 2017:
- There were zero preventable infant deaths
- 100 percent of mothers initiated breastfeeding
- Average birth weight was just over seven pounds
- Average gestational age was slightly more than 39 weeks
Generation With Promise continues to promote health and wellness in Detroit and Wayne and Macomb counties, reaching more than 54,000 youth and adults in 2017. Almost 190,000 have participated since inception. Programming was funded, in part, by a $100,000 grant from HFHS Foundation Board Member Gregory Jackson.
A partnership between Henry Ford LiveWell and PistonsFit brought more than 1,000 children wellness information through face-to-face programs held at schools and HFHS sites, including a healthy cook-off with Pistons players.
The Path to Wellness, a half-mile walking and cycling route located on the West Bloomfield Hospital campus, became an active part of the campus landscape in 2017.
In Jackson, Henry Ford Allegiance Health is working with other health providers and community organization leaders to change how the community delivers care and interacts with high-risk residents. Together, they are developing a screening tool and online system to identify residents who need assistance and connect them with housing, safety, food and utility resources.
Health fairs and family wellness events were held at Wyandotte’s Brownstown and Macomb’s Richmond medical centers and at sites throughout the system. Employees conducted health screenings at 76 different sites, reaching nearly 2,000 people across the tri-county area.
2017 Community Awards
- Henry Ford Allegiance Health won the Governor’s Service Award for Outstanding Volunteer Program.
- Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital was recognized by U.S. News & World Report for providing radio programming in the Aramaic language. See all of our 2017 awards.