Accelerated research, increased investment signal landmark year for food is medicine
American Heart Association report highlights evidence that medically tailored meals and groceries can improve health outcomes
The food is medicine (FIM) field is gaining momentum, with a sharp increase in research and growing government support for healthcare-integrated nutrition programs, according to a new report from the American Heart Association’s Health Care by Food initiative.
The report, Advances in the Food Is Medicine Field 2026, reviewed 57 studies published between July 2025 and June 2026 — a 68% increase from the previous year. The number of randomized controlled trials also quadrupled during the period.
Government support is expanding as well. Sixteen states now have approved or are considering Medicaid waivers for food is medicine programs, while six states are using Medicaid managed care authority to provide these services. Federal funding for food is medicine also increased by $24 million in the FY2026 spending bill.
State Medicaid evaluations cited in the report found that food is medicine programs were associated with lower hospitalization and emergency department use, as well as reduced healthcare costs.
Medically Tailored Meals Show Promise
The report highlights growing evidence supporting medically tailored meals and groceries. Studies found improvements in blood pressure, hemoglobin A1c and other cardiometabolic risk factors, particularly when food support was combined with nutrition counseling, community health workers or other services.
The report also found that programs tailored to patient preferences, cultural needs and individual circumstances may improve engagement and effectiveness.
The American Heart Association said the field is increasingly moving beyond questions of feasibility toward determining how food-based interventions can be designed, implemented and sustained to deliver better outcomes.
The Health Care by Food initiative, launched by the American Heart Association in 2023, focuses on integrating evidence-based nutrition interventions into healthcare systems to improve health and address diet-related chronic disease.
