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In 2016, Geisinger opened its Fresh Food Farmacy, a program that connects people with type 2 diabetes with fresh food weekly, social services and a care team to help them manage their health. The Pennsylvania-based health system started the program in an area that has high rates of diabetes and food insecurity, and so far, has seen promising results, including a bigger impact on participants’ hemoglobin A1c levels than medication.
But Geisinger had to work through some early challenges as it grew and adapted the program. In a virtual panel at MedCity INVEST Digital Health, Geisinger Vice President of Health Innovations Allison Hess and other leaders shared what they learned when they launched programs to address social determinants of health.