Food for Healthier Birth Outcomes

Creating an innovative partnership to improve health and well-being of low-income pregnant women through a food-as-medicine program

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Full Project Name:Food for Healthier Birth OutcomesPrimary Community Organization:Food for Health, Inc.Primary Academic Partner:Anna Palatnik, MD, Obstetrics & GynecologyAward Amount:$50,000

Award Date

January2024

Project Duration:18 months

Project Summary:

Research has shown that access to and education about nutrition has an impact on development, health, and future outcomes. For pregnant women, there is a relationship between diet-related diseases—like pre-pregnancy obesity and gestational diabetes—and adverse maternal and infant outcomes like low birthweight, infant mortality, and preterm birth. Racial, socioeconomic, and ethnic disparities can amplify these issues.

This project will aim to positively impact the health and well-being of pregnant women and their families through the Maternal Health Management Program, establishing and implementing an immersive experience to encourage self-sufficiency and optimal health for pregnant women at risk for obstetric complications relating to nutrition. Through this effort, MCW researchers and Food for Health, Inc. will contribute to local and national efforts to improve maternal and infant outcomes in high-risk pregnancies.

Outcomes & Lessons Learned:

Recruited 69 low-income pregnant people who were at high risk for adverse birth outcomes to investigate the differing health outcomes that result from enrollment into either the treatment cohort (referral to Food for Health and enrolled in the full Maternal and Infant Health Program) versus the standard prenatal care control group
Expanded access to nutrition and wellness support through weekly home deliveries of ten nutrient-rich, medically tailored meals and personalized weekly health coaching for program participants randomized to the full Maternal and Infant Health Program cohort
Provided over 4,800 medically tailored meals to participants since program onset
Conducted 490 health coaching sessions for low-income pregnant people at high risk for adverse birth outcomes, which led to reduced maternal stress and social barriers, increased food literacy, and greater understanding of the importance of prenatal and postpartum nutrition