Historically, participation in WIC has led to longer gestations, fewer preterm births, fewer low birth weight babies, and overall savings in health care costs. However, these increases have disappeared over the past two decades as WIC enrollment has declined to less than half of those eligible.
This study investigates whether eligible patients referred to WIC during prenatal visits enroll in the program and subsequently report improved food security. This “Clinic-WIC” model is recommended in the White House Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. A recent study showed the success of this model in the pediatric population, increasing WIC enrollment by 42%, but studies in pregnancy have not yet been conducted.
This study will also explore enhancing the clinic-WIC model by leveraging meal planning and food budgeting skills taught by registered dietitians and nutritionists.
“This project will help clinicians learn whether simple strategies taken can help patients engage in dietary programs and learn the skills to eat a heart-healthy diet,” said Dr. said Lisa Bailey Davis, RD, associate professor. She is associate director of Geisinger University’s Department of Population Health Sciences and Center for Obesity and Metabolic Health.
This grant is part of AHA’s Health Care by Food™ initiative, which recently provided $7.8 million in funding for 19 national research projects investigating the effectiveness of the “food is medicine” approach to care. announced.
“Integrating research efforts in collaboration with institutions across the country will help identify cost-effective food medical interventions to improve health and make healthy foods an essential component of health care.” ,” said Kevin G. Volup, MD, PhD, FAHA. He is the leader of the association’s Health Through Food initiative, chair of the association’s President’s Advisory Writing Group on Food is Medicine, and director of the Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics at the University of Pennsylvania.
About Geisinger University of Health Sciences
Geisinger University of Health Sciences is the research and education arm of the Geisinger family. Geisinger is committed to making it easier to improve the health outcomes of the more than 1 million people we serve. Founded more than 100 years ago by Abigail Geisinger, the system now includes 10 hospital campuses, a health plan with more than 500,000 members, and a university. In addition to the Geisinger Graduate Medical Education Program and its Academy of Educators, the university is home to the Research Institute, the Geisinger Federal School of Medicine, the Geisinger School of Nursing, and the Department of Graduate Education. The College is committed to nondiscrimination in all employment and educational opportunities. Visit geisinger.edu/education.
