Delaware (Europe Brief News) – Democrat Governor Matt Meyer in Delaware formed the Delaware Food Is Medicine Committee during a Monday announcement to fight chronic diseases and manage healthcare costs by using dietary intervention.
What’s the goal of the program?
“Delaware’s Food is Medicine Committee will connect residents with high-quality meals and produce to improve clinical care, lower health care costs, and advance health equity,”
Meyer said in a written statement announcing the initiative, according to The Well News.
“Drawing on research and examples from other states, we will scale what works and ensure positive results. Together, we’ll build a healthier, more equitable Delaware — where food is seen as both nourishment and health care,”
he said.
The committee functions under the Delaware Council on Farm & Food Policy to concentrate on three main priorities.
- Health Equity: More nutrition programs should be made accessible for vulnerable groups, including the poor and those at medical risk, to stop and treat diseases, including diabetes and heart disease.
- Health Care Cost Savings: The program would cut Medicaid costs by directing specific food intervention strategies to reduce diet-related hospital visits.
- Economic Growth: Delaware farmers, alongside food retailers will gain new market opportunities for their local produce through supportive initiatives.
“Every Delawarean should have the comfort of knowing they can feed their family healthy and nutritious meals,”
said Lt. Gov. Kyle Evans Gay, who will serve as chair of the new committee.
“The Delaware Food is Medicine Committee is focused on providing that comfort, helping to define our state’s goals, strengthen programs, and secure funding that will put nutrition at the forefront of health care and achieve real results,”
he continued, adding,
“As chair, I’m honored to help lead this effort promoting health equity by connecting families with the nourishment, dignity, and care they deserve.”
The committee’s first priority is establishing Delaware’s Food is Medicine framework while following national initiatives such as the American Heart Association’s Healthy Food by Design.
Details regarding funding and implementation timelines remained unidentified.
