Prescription for Health style programs support healthy behavior change for individuals and families through partnerships with healthcare and other providers who focus on supporting healthy eating – like farmers and farmers markets. Programs are commonly aimed at improving health outcomes for low-income patients with diet-related chronic diseases.
In Michigan, we have an ever-changing number of Prescription for Health style programs. In 2016 MIFMA inventoried the programs in operation across the state and published: Prescription for Health Programs in Michigan: An Overview and Summary of Best Practices.
Here at the Michigan Farmers Market Association, we are working to build a statewide network of individuals and organizations implementing Prescription for Health type programs. This network focuses on strengthening programs by sharing strategies regarding community and patient engagement, metrics and evaluation, and financing and program sustainability. If you would like to be added to the contact list for quarterly meetings, please email michelle@mifma.org and include Prescription for Health Statewide Learning Network in the subject line.
Prescription for Health Statewide Learning Network Snapshot
To learn more about how to start a Prescription for Health style program in your community, we recommend the Prescription for Health Program Implementation Guide developed by Washtenaw County Public Health.