Produce Prescriptions and Group Medical Visits: Addressing Food Insecurity and Social Isolation in Primary Care

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Project Summary/Abstract The purpose of this K01 Mentored Research Scientist Development Award is to promote the candidate's development as an independent health disparities researcher, with a focus on primary care interventions to address disparities in food insecurity and social isolation among adults with chronic conditions. Dr. Thompson-Lastad will use mixed-methods research to study the effectiveness and implementation of primary care interventions in order to meet her long-term career goal of advancing health equity in diverse communities. Towards this end, the proposed mentored research for this K01 award is to assess an innovative model of care that provides prescriptions for fresh fruit and vegetables with or without group medical visits (GMVs) to ethnically and linguistically diverse, low-income patients. To support this research and Dr. Thompson-Lastad’s goal of independent health equity research, this K01 proposal includes formal, mentored training through coursework and tailored tutorials in quantitative methods for practice-based research, measurement of social needs in health care settings, community-engaged methods, and responsible conduct of research. This training will be applied to research with two specific aims: (1) Assess the implementation of produce prescriptions and group medical visits at nine clinics using a longitudinal process evaluation; and (2) Examine changes in food insecurity and social isolation among 400 adults with diabetes receiving produce prescriptions with and without GMV participation. This research leverages interventions implemented by a USDA-funded partnership which includes a network of Federally Qualified Health Centers, county government, and local farms. The partnership will design and implement the intervention. University of California, San Francisco is an ideal environment for the proposed training because it provides access to experts in health disparities, social needs, and diabetes. Completion of the proposed research and career development activities will inform the development of an R01-level clinical trial focused on how group medical visits with food access components influence social connectedness, health outcomes, and social needs over time among FQHC populations. Completing the K01 will ensure Dr. Thompson-Lastad’s ability to conduct independent research on primary care interventions to advance health equity among ethnically diverse, multilingual populations.