Henry Ford Health System issued the following announcement on Aug. 19.
America’s Essential Hospitals, an association of more than 300 hospitals committed to improving the health of people living with vulnerable health conditions, today named Henry Ford’s “Henry’s Groceries for Health” program as the recipient of its 2020 Gage Award for Population Health.
“Henry’s Groceries for Health” is a partnership between Henry Ford Health System and Gleaners Community Food Bank, which brings free grocery delivery to the doors of patients with chronic health conditions.
The program is credited with reducing emergency room visits by 42 percent, and hospitalizations by a remarkable 56 percent in the 276 patients who were recruited for the pilot year of the program in 2017 and participated for a full 12 months
“I’m delighted and humbled to accept this Gage Award on behalf of Henry Ford Health System and Gleaners Community Food Bank,” said Susan Hawkins, FACHE, senior vice president of population health at Henry Ford Health System. “Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to see increasing rates of food insecurity in the community and among our patients, and, as we anticipate a potential surge in the fall, programs like Henry’s Groceries for Health will become even more critical.”
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, one in six people in Michigan, some 700,000 people, are affected by food insecurity and do not get the food they need. Some experts believe that figure may have doubled since April and may impact as many as 20 percent of U.S. households.
Food insecurity is directly tied to poor health outcomes among those with chronic illnesses including hypertension, diabetes and heart disease, and often leads to preventable emergency room visits and hospitalizations.
Participants in Henry’s Groceries for Health receive enough food for 14 nutritionally balanced meals every two weeks, as well as recipes, food preparation instruction and ongoing health monitoring.
Launched in 2017, the program is one of many sponsored by Henry Ford to address social determinants of health – the economic and social conditions that adversely affect the health of certain groups or individuals and their access to healthcare.
It’s the sort of work that honors Larry Gage, the award’s namesake and founder of the association. The award recognizes creative and successful programs that improve patient care and serve community needs.
“Our hospitals’ work to improve quality and reach outside their walls to build population health has never been more important than now, as COVID-19 amplifies disparities in the communities they serve,” said America’s Essential Hospitals President and CEO Bruce Siegel, MD, MPH. “Our Gage Award recipients are true leaders in both.”
Gerald Brisson, president and CEO of Gleaners, said the partnership addresses the community’s needs from multiple angles, something often missing.
“We believe this will benefit the individual, the health care provider and the community,” said Gerald Brisson, president and CEO of Gleaners. “Importantly we will prove food access leads to better health and lower health care costs, which leads to sustainable funding to help solve this persistent problem. We must move toward a deeper understanding of community impact. With a more holistic view of food security, we can substantially reduce hunger, business, government, health care, education and the entire community can work together to meet our community’s needs for food and nutrition.
Original source can be found here.
Source: Henry Ford Health System
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