Cost Effectiveness Of A Produce Prescription Intervention

In this study, we examined the effectiveness, cost, and cost-effectiveness of a produce prescription program. The program analyzed in this study is run by Community Health and Social Services (CHASS) Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Detroit, Michigan. The prescription produce intervention begins with eligibility screening and referral by patients’ physicians at clinical visits for eligibility. Eligible patients are then given “prescriptions” for free fruits and vegetables that they can exchange at participating farmers markets or farm stands. Farmers markets also host cooking demonstrations and distribute healthy recipes. Finally, coordinators and volunteers follow up with patients and provide nutrition education with a standardized nutrition curriculum. We observed an average effect size of .532 unit reduction in hemoglobin A1c in patients with diabetes and a cost effectiveness ratio is $1,901 per one unit change in HbA1c, with 95% confidence intervals of 1208.72; 3016.96