'Eat Well' Produce Prescription RCT

Conditions studied

Hypertension

About this study

This project, conducted within the Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare System (VHA), will study how a produce prescription (PRx) program called "Eat Well" affects Veterans' health and how often they use healthcare services. About 1 in 4 Veteran households experience food insecurity (FI), which means they do not have reliable access to safe and healthy food. FI can make health worse in many ways, especially for people with conditions like diabetes that need a healthy diet. It also leads to higher healthcare costs. A PRx program, like Eat Well, helps by giving people money or vouchers to buy fruits and vegetables. This study will enroll 1,500 eligible Veterans in North Carolina who will be randomized to receive Eat Well for 6-months, Eat Well for 12-months, or the standard of care. This research will help VA learn important information about using produce prescriptions as a proven way to improve food security.

Interventions

• Behavioral: Eat Well 6-months — Participants will receive $100/month of Eat Well benefits for 6- months and instructions on enrolling in existing VA programs designed to improve health self-management and nutrition education.
• Behavioral: Eat Well 12-months — Participants will receive $100/month of Eat Well benefits for 12-months and instructions on enrolling in existing VA programs designed to improve health self-management and nutrition education.

Primary outcomes

• Systolic blood pressure (12 months)

Eligibility information

Study locations

• Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina 27705 United States