Adherence
A 6-month produce prescription program providing $60/month in vouchers for fruit and vegetables does not significantly improve glycemic control (HbA1c), blood pressure, or BMI in patients with diabetes compared to usual care.
For patients with diabetes, simply receiving vouchers for fruit and vegetables is not enough to lower blood sugar. To see health benefits, programs must ensure the voucher amount is sufficient for the patient's household size and include robust, ongoing nutritional education. Without these supports, financial incentives alone may fail to improve clinical outcomes.
At 6 months, there was no significant difference in change in HbA1c between treatment and control groups, with a difference of 0.13 percentage points (95% CI -0.05, 0.32).
Why this rating
Large sample size (n=786), use of weighted controls, and longitudinal design, though non-randomized and confounded by the unique context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source
Evaluation of a Produce Prescription Program for Patients With Diabetes: A Longitudinal Analysis of Glycemic Control
Kurt Hager et al. · Diabetes Care · 2023
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