HIV/AIDS: The Food As Medicine Advocacy Initiative

The medical efficacy of Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) is often overlooked in public health and policy decisions. The Food as Medicine Advocacy Initiative used new research to secure increased public support within healthcare reform for expanded access to medical nutrition therapy (MNT) and prescribed food coverage for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). The project educated care providers, community leaders and public officials about medical outcomes associated with food insecurity among PLWHA and the impact of healthcare reform on services for PLWHA. Through effective messaging and other advocacy strategies, project staff advocated with administration and elected officials and the NYC Health and Human Services Planning Council to ensure that Medicaid reform provided access to MNT and prescribed food for PLWHA, and for a stronger position for FNS within Ryan White priorities and funding. Finally, we conducted outreach to expand the number of PLWHA who have access to FNS regardless of their insurance provider. These efforts were successful in promoting greater access and better health outcomes for people living with HIV/AIDS. We learned that research is an effective and essential tool in successful advocacy efforts, and that healthcare reform provides multiple opportunities to expand the delivery of services to PLWHA to produce better health outcomes. Our next step is to add to the current data on the positive health outcomes of food and nutrition for PLWHA by examining the cost-effectiveness of FNS in reducing healthcare costs, and using this data effectively in advocacy.