Residents of Petersburg face significant health challenges, ranking lowest in health outcomes and health factors out of 133 localities across Virginia.¹ The average life expectancy in Petersburg is 67.4 years, compared to the state average of 77.6 years.2,3 In response to these challenges, Petersburg was selected for a "Food as Medicine" pilot program. Committed to enhancing nutritional security across Virginia, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Virginia invested $95,000 in this program, collaborating with Walnut Hill Pharmacy and Feed More.
Food as Medicine
Walnut Hill Pharmacy, located in Petersburg, has been serving the Tri-Cities area for over 60 years. Feed More, Central Virginia's core hunger-relief organization, has provided healthy meals to those in need for more than five decades with the support of 400 distribution partners and 200 daily volunteers. The "Food as Medicine" program aimed to understand the impact of food-based interventions on nutritional security and explore environmental factors affecting the Petersburg community.
From January 2023 to March 2024, the program offered participants medically tailored groceries, menus developed in collaboration with a Feed More registered dietitian, nutrition education, support from community health workers to address social drivers of health and educational events. Eligible participants met the following criteria:
- Being a current pharmacy patient
- Having a diabetes diagnosis
- Being prescribed two or more diabetes-related medications
- Screening positive for food insecurity
The program was evaluated at both mid-point and completion stages using self-reported health surveys, hemoglobin A1C testing and blood pressure screening. Results indicated a positive correlation between the intervention and health improvements:
- Blood pressure and A1C scores declined throughout the pilot
- Three times more participants reported feeling empowered to manage their condition based on what they learned during the pilot
- Participants who completed all three surveys showed greater health improvements compared to those who completed only two surveys
- 100% of final survey participants felt the program was successful
“Businesses across sectors and people working together for the collective good is a powerful thing. These collaborations help us reach even more of our Central Virginia neighbors wrestling with food insecurity,” said David Waidelich, chief collaboration and programs officer at Feed More. “We’re grateful for UnitedHealthcare’s investment in the Food as Medicine program, which is about more than just food – it’s about ensuring better health outcomes for our neighbors who live with chronic diet-related conditions.”
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Virginia remains dedicated to improving health outcomes for all Virginians. For more information on how UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Virginia is supporting its local community, visit the plan’s website.
