Diabetes is a preventable disease. Uncontrolled diabetes hinders a patient’s overall health, and when left unmanaged, patients are at a higher risk of vision loss, kidney damage, cardiovascular disease, and other poor health outcomes. 9.1% of Oregon adults reported having diabetes in 2013, double that of 20 years ago (Oregon Health Authority, 2015). Diabetes also disproportionately impacts communities of color, with 15.2% of individuals in Oregon who identify as Hispanic/Latino having diabetes, compared to 7.4% of the White population. A key element of diabetes control is self-management education (diet and exercise).
"This program helped me better manage my diabetes. When I started the classes my blood sugar was in the 200’s. After the classes, I was down to 140. Now, after the holidays, I just got the courage to take my blood sugar and it is 157."
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- The Eat For Life project aims to improve patient wellness and teach positive, healthy cooking and eating behaviors to reduce the number of individuals with uncontrolled diabetes in the region.
- The program was implemented by Mosaic Medical, the St. Charles Health System, and the La Pine Community Health Center.
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This project attempts to achieve the following:- Provide access to fresh vegetables through a prescription voucher program.
- Provide monthly nutritional education and guidance to program participants.
- Provide monthly cooking classes (Nutrition Kitchen) geared to patients with diabetes.
- Reduce the impact of poor nutrition on diabetes (reduced BMI and A1c).
Of the patients who completed the eight-week cohort, all patients saw improvements in their weight, A1C, and reported an increase in knowledge related to healthy food choices.
From September to December 2019, Eat for Life was able to recruit 45 participants.
73% of patients had lower A1C's at 4 months.
41% of patients had a reduced BMI at 4 months.
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- The Eat for Life program generated more positive results than anticipated. Of the patients who completed the eight-week cohort, each patient saw improvements in their weight, A1C, and reported an increase in knowledge related to healthy food choices.
- Due to COVID, the spring cohort was canceled. Some grant money was reallocated to support patients who presented as food insecure.
Patients reported improved food security.
Patients reported improved overall confidence in choosing the best-priced vegetables, buying, and cooking healthy foods.
Patients reported they were very pleased with the program and that the classes, extra dollars for vegetables, and nutrition visits were helping them manage their diabetes.
Participants found the vouchers easy to use and liked the recipes.