The U.S. Division of Well being and Human Companies, via the Indian Well being Service, awards $2.5 million in funding to assist the event of produce prescription applications in tribal communities. The aim of the IHS Produce Prescription Pilot Program is to assist cut back meals insecurity and enhance well being care outcomes amongst American Indian and Alaska Native folks by growing entry to provide and different conventional meals inside Native communities.

“Meals is drugs and vitamin is well being. It’s essential that every one Individuals have entry to wholesome meals,” stated HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “Packages like this feed straight into our Administration’s aim of constructing more healthy communities on the native degree. This announcement will assist to make it simpler for American Indian and Alaska Native communities to take pleasure in wholesome consuming and good vitamin.”

“This funding is not only an allocation of sources, however a convincing dedication to addressing meals insecurity in American Indian and Alaska Native communities,” stated IHS Director Roselyn Tso. “It’s a recognition of the pressing have to empower and assist tribal communities of their pursuit of meals sovereignty and well-being.”

Produce prescription applications have been proven to extend entry to nutritious meals in communities in danger for meals insecurity. These applications assist meet the wants of people and households experiencing meals insecurity and weight loss plan associated well being issues by acquiring vegatables and fruits extra simply. The IHS Produce Prescription Pilot Program is one other motion being taken to implement the Biden-Harris Administration’s Nationwide Technique on Starvation, Diet, and Well being to finish starvation and improve wholesome consuming and bodily exercise by 2030 so fewer Individuals expertise diet-related illnesses.

The aim of this program is to exhibit and consider the impression of produce prescription applications on American Indian and Alaska Native folks and their households, particularly by decreasing meals insecurity, bettering total dietary well being by growing consumption of fruits, greens, and conventional meals consumption, and bettering well being care outcomes.

The next tribes and tribal organizations obtained $500,000 every in 2023 grant funding to implement a produce prescription program of their communities:

Grant Recipient Metropolis State
Laguna Healthcare Company Paraje New Mexico
Muscogee (Creek) Nation Okmulgee Oklahoma
Navajo Well being Basis – Sage Memorial Hospital Ganado Arizona
Pascua Yaqui Tribe Tucson Arizona
Rocky Boy Well being Middle Field Elder Montana

American Indian and Alaska Native individuals are disproportionately impacted by meals insecurity when in comparison with non-Native folks and usually tend to reside in areas with low or no entry to contemporary meals than some other racial or ethnic group. About one in 4 Native folks expertise meals insecurity, in comparison with one in 9 Individuals total. The upper charges of meals insecurity amongst American Indian and Alaska Native individuals are exacerbated by water insecurity, lack of land, pressured relocation, and environmental air pollution, all of which have negatively impacted conventional wholesome meals practices.

The IHS Division of Diabetes Remedy and Prevention offers programmatic management to the Produce Prescription Pilot Program, in addition to intensive coaching and sources, that are broadly utilized by program websites and clinicians throughout the nation.

The IHS, an company within the U.S. Division of Well being and Human Companies, offers a complete well being service supply system for roughly 2.8 million American Indians and Alaska Natives who belong to 574 federally acknowledged tribes in 37 states. Comply with the company through social media on Fb, Twitter, and LinkedIn.