Produce prescription program could save Billions in healthcare costs, study shows

A simulation conducted by researchers from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy highlights the potential clinical and financial benefits of making fruits and vegetables more accessible to food-insecure diabetic patients. The study suggests that implementing a nationwide produce prescription program, which would provide free or discounted fruits and vegetables to eligible Americans with diabetes, could lead to significant reductions in national rates of cardiovascular disease and associated healthcare costs. The analysis estimated that such a program could prevent 296,000 cases of cardiovascular disease and gain 260,000 quality-adjusted life years for patients. This would result in savings of $39.6 billion in healthcare spending and $4.8 billion in lost productivity costs. While the program would incur costs of $44.3 billion for implementation, the potential benefits make it a promising option for improving health outcomes and reducing disparities in access to nutritious food.

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