Approach: The 2020 expansion of FARMacy WV, which doubled the number of programs in the state, necessitated a standardized approach to data collection including quantitative and qualitative measures examining patient clinical metrics, measures of food insecurity, dietary behavior change, and nutrition-related self-efficacy, as well as clinician understanding of the social determinants of health.

Results: On average, three clinical metrics showed improvement: total cholesterol decreased 1.31 mg/dl (n=34), body weight decreased 4.15 lbs (n=52), and HbA1c decreased .68 percentage points (n=50). Participants reported increased produce consumption and healthy cooking practices, and a decrease in food insecurity. Clinicians, farmers, and patients reported improved connectedness with one another. A key qualitative finding was that clinicians struggled to explain the factors that cause poor population health.

Discussion: Review of participant data suggests that FARMacy WV positively impacts patients’ access to healthy food, nutrition-related habits, and health metrics. As the initiative continues to grow, FARMacy WV will explore the role of quality improvement in data collection, SDOH, and policy-related solutions, to address health disparities.