Medically tailored meals are one of the least expensive and most effective ways to improve our healthcare system in an equitable way. FIMC envisions a future where everyone who needs the MTM intervention, regardless of where they live or their ability to pay, can get the highest quality service.
That’s why advancing equity is one of the pillars of the Food Is Medicine Coalition strategic plan, and FIMC is currently engaged in a multi-phase Health Equity Initiative. Through this collaborative work, we aim to participate meaningfully in creating health equity for our clients, while identifying the appropriate metrics for progress towards achieving health equity for our communities across the country.
Keep reading for an update on our progress!
Phase I (2023): A Community-Sourced Definition
To accurately measure our progress toward this goal, our coalition knew that we first needed to define what our communities understood by the term “health equity.” In 2023, FIMC engaged subject matter experts Health Leads to convene a workgroup of FIMC agency clients, volunteers, and staff, using a liberatory design and anti-racism model to generate a community-sourced definition of health equity for the coalition. The definition was finalized and shared this spring with our Coalition and this summer with the field. This definition guides our work and is informing Phase II of the initiative.
FIMC Health Equity Definition
Health equity means that every individual, irrespective of their race, background, culture, or circumstances, has the opportunity and resources to achieve their highest level of health, rooted in each individual’s personal and cultural understanding of health and well-being.
The Food is Medicine Coalition has an unwavering commitment to health equity. Our definition is anchored on the following pillars:
- Access and Opportunity: Everyone should have access to the resources and opportunities they need to achieve optimal health. This includes access to medically tailored nutritious foods, which are essential for holistic health and well-being.
- Quality Services: We are dedicated to providing quality nutrition services and education that address medical needs and overall well-being. Our services go beyond medical interventions, emphasizing an approach that values and respects each individual’s unique health journey.
- Clear Communication & Collaboration: Ensuring clear communication and collaboration is central to our mission. We believe in fostering strong, trusting relationships, ensuring that individuals are active participants in their own health journey, supported by transparent and effective communication.
- Community Connections & Resources: Recognizing the importance of social determinants of health, we leverage community resources and connections. By doing so, we recognize factors like housing, transportation, employment, and social support, ensuring a comprehensive approach to health.
- Caring Approach: Our services are rooted in a caring ethos. We ensure that every individual feels valued, understood, and respected, emphasizing a holistic approach that considers both physical and mental well-being.
Phase II (2024): A Measurement Approach
This phase, currently underway, builds upon existing measurement plans for identifying coalition-wide progress towards our community-sourced definition of health equity, reconvening our stakeholder workgroup of volunteers, staff, and clients to contribute to the metrics finalization. This workgroup convenes alongside a four-part Learning Collaborative that utilizes the curriculum from Data for Social Impact, guided by conveners of the program. This Learning Collaborative offers our member agencies the chance to engage with explore client-centered, strategic data practices to advance health equity in their communities. We expect to release our finalized measurement plan in early 2025.