The COVID-19 pandemic has destabilized food access across the world and the nation. More than 38 million Americans today face food insecurity. Access to nutritious food plays a pivotal role as a social determinant of health. People experiencing food insecurity have an increased risk for various negative health outcomes—including more serious COVID-19 complications—which increases strains on our health-care system. Nutrition-related health disparities underscore the need for health insurers, retailers, NGOs, and governments to partner in developing innovative, hybrid solutions. Advances in partnership with Food Is Medicine interventions—such as produce prescriptions and medically tailored meals—can improve access to healthful foods for people confronting food insecurity. Panelists from health insurance, government, and food retail will discuss how their sectors are experimenting to scale Food Is Medicine programs and shift eating patterns to healthier options.

Moderator

Holly Freishtat
Director of Feeding Change, Milken Institute

Speakers

James Gillespie
Chief Health Officer, Umoja Supply Chain Solutions

Katherine Paris
Vice President Advocacy, Marketing, and Policy, UnitedHealthcare Community & State

Vivek Sankaran
President and CEO, Albertsons Companies

Michael Vincent Smith
Senior Clinical Solutions Medical Director, CVS Health