Previous Studies and Events
Brief highlights from some of our completed studies and events.
The FRESH (Fundamental Resources Empowering Sustainable Health) Study
In this study, we asked patients (N=210) with at least one chronic health problem receiving care at Parkland Health, a safety-net health center, if they want to participate in a Food is Medicine program. Patients received medically tailored groceries, medically tailored groceries and food resource coaching, or food from that same market that was not medically tailored for four months. We conducted 60 pre- and post-intervention interviews and quantitatively measured feasibility and implementation outcomes, food security, diet quality, and if available, blood pressure from the electronic health record (EHR). Results are forthcoming, read our open access protocol manuscript here: https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/1/e096122
Screening for & responding to food insecurity among patients receiving infusion services
This pilot randomized controlled trial tested the feasibility, adherence, and exploratory effects of providing food pantry referrals, pantry referrals + medically tailored meals (MTM), and pantry referrals + $75 USD monthly debit card payment to patients receiving infusion treatment and experiencing food insecurity. Of 150 patients screened, 54 were eligible and 45 enrolled; 87% completed the study. Statistically significant improvements in perceived diet quality were observed across all groups, with the MTM group reporting increased fruit and vegetable intake. Food security improved in the pantry-only and MTM groups but declined slightly in the payment group. Well-being scores increased for all participants but were not statistically significant. Overall, the study was feasible, but low pantry use suggests future programs may benefit from co-located pantries, longer-term support, or larger assistance amounts. Full findings are published here:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00520-025-10077-9
The Pantry Preferences/
Preferencias de Despensa Studies
Pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT)
In a recent pilot, we hypothesized that providing nutritious no-prep meals would be more desirable to shoppers accessing a free community food market than meal kits, because no-prep meals remove the time & physical constraints of cooking. Additionally, market research and USDA trends show increases in purchasing of frozen & convenience foods. We found 1) people in the meal kit group reported increases in hedonic liking of meal kits over time, whereas people in the no-prep group reported decreases 2) perceived diet quality & food security significantly improved in both groups over our short study period (🎉), but there were no differences between group 3) intervention satisfaction was high in both groups, but higher in the meal kit group. For full study details and findings, read our open access paper in BMC Public Health here.
Food is/as Medicine Education
In May of 2024 we presented at the International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (ISBNPA) annual meeting on "Food is Medicine interventions: Pros and cons of different Food is Medicine interventions in different contexts." This interactive session included a live cooking demonstration led by collaborator Julia MacLaren, RD, to provide an example of a popular Food is Medicine intervention, culinary medicine which teaches patients how to improve chronic nutrition and health conditions using the art of cooking and healthy eating. The session also included small working groups that challenged attendees to reflect on emerging questions in the Food is Medicine field, such as "Given the momentum around Food is Medicine work and the lack of regulation regarding implementation, how can scientists, clinicians, and community members position themselves to partner with multi-sectoral organizations working in this space?" In our spare time, we enjoyed long walks around Omaha and exploring the Old Market.
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The Pantry Preferences/
Preferencias de Despensa Studies
Cross-sectional survey
In addition to our pilot RCT we sought to ask community members using a free community food market what types of food items, meals, cuisines and nutrition intervention programs they prefer to ensure the programs we are developing align with their preferences. We also asked what their intervention outcome preferences were. We found the highest rated intervention was bringing more healthy food into the free community food market and the lowest rated was restricting unhealthy donations. Overall wellbeing was the most important outcome and weight loss was the least important. Findings are published in Preventive Medicine Reports and can be found open access here.
Feasibility and implementation of a grocery shopping intervention for adults diagnosed with or at-risk for type 2 diabetes
Dr. Hollis-Hansen conducted a secondary analysis of data from a study that sought to test whether prepopulating shoppers online grocery carts with healthier options (e.g., "optimal defaults") that align with recommendations for people with diabetes could help improve shoppers' grocery purchases. This study was led by Dr. Anzman-Frasca (PI) and Director of the The Child Health and Behavior (HABLAB) at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York. In this secondary analysis, we found that most participants accepted the optimal defaults and were happy with the intervention. Participants' primary concerns were costs associated with online shopping, inability to select preferred foods and some recipes including ingredients people in their household might not eat. Tailoring recipes to household preferences may be beneficial in future studies. More information about the study and findings can be found here, here, and here.
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Fall/Winter Vaccine Festivals
Through our cross-sectional survey we learned that over 40% of shoppers at our partner community food market had foregone medical care within the past two years due to concerns around cost. As respiratory virus season came around we were concerned many shoppers would not have access to vaccines, so we partnered with Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) to host Vaccine Parties/Fiestas de vacunas where shoppers received free vaccines and gift cards from DCHHS and free coffee and breakfast tacos from the OSPH. Around 300 shoppers were vaccinated through these events in 2023 and we look forward to partnering on similar initiatives in the future.
Dallas Southern Sector Photovoice Project
Led by Graduate Research Assistant Angelina Johnson, MPH, our team conducted a photovoice project that asked community members in the Southern Sector of Dallas, Texas to answer her research question "How do Southern Sector community members view the accessibility, availability, and affordability of food in their food environment?" 15 community members participated in three group meetings, and a final celebration and exhibit of their photos and perspectives was convened at RedBird Mall.
