The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) has selected eight health centers to participate in this year’s Innovation Incubator, focused on improving health equity through access to nutritious food.
Now in its second year, the Innovation Incubator awardees will bring forward innovative ideas to help heath centers across the country improve access to nutritious food as a part of a healthy lifestyle for their patients, regardless of their ZIP code or ability to pay for health services.
Projects include work across a number of areas, from creating community gardens and conducting nutrition education to providing expectant mothers and people with chronic diseases with the customized nutrition they need.
The eight health centers receiving funding from NACHC and partner Abbott through the 2024 Innovation Incubator initiative include:
• Affinia Healthcare, St. Louis
• Asian Health Services, Oakland, Calif.
• Cabin Creek Health Systems, Charleston, W.Va.
• Delaware Valley Community Health, Philadelphia
• White House Clinics, Richmond, Ky.
• Mainline Health Systems, Inc., Monticello, Ark.
• Tri-Area Community Health, Laurel Fork, Va.
• Urban Health Plan, New York
These health centers will develop and test new solutions over six months, putting the unique perspectives, experiences and challenges of their communities at the forefront. Centers will be supported by subject matter experts across diverse fields through individualized coaching and mentoring to help design and implement their projects.
“Food insecurity severely impacts the health of underinvested communities,” said NACHC President and CEO Kyu Rhee, M.D., M.P.P., in a statement. “We’re thrilled to continue our collaboration with Abbott for the second year as the partner of choice in generating innovative solutions for population health. As the nation’s largest primary care network, health centers’ highly effective and innovative integrated model of care reaches beyond the walls of the traditional exam room to not only prevent illness but also address the social drivers that may cause poor health. Our focus this year is to create sustainable, effective strategies that solve food challenges and improve nutrition.”
“Nutritious food is essential for good health, but far too often it’s not available to people who need it,” said Melissa Brotz, president of Abbott Fund and vice president, Global Marketing and External Affairs, Abbott, in a statement. “We’re excited to work together with NACHC and community health centers across the country to generate innovative and practical ideas to improve access to food, nutrition education and health services to help people live healthier lives.”
Each center will be awarded $30,000 and will have a chance to win one of two additional recognition awards at a live competitive pitch session in Fall 2024. NACHC will share the results with 1,400 health centers across the country, informing the care of more than 31 million patients.
“In response to higher rates of both food insecurity and chronic illnesses that can be better managed through healthier diets, Urban Health Plan and many of our community partners in the Bronx have prioritized making healthy food accessible to residents through food pantries, farmers markets, and regular food distribution events,” said Paloma Izquierdo-Hernandez, president and CEO of Urban Health Plan, in a statement. “That’s why we’re excited to be part of the Innovation Incubator. We’re planning to bring in local chefs to help educate our community on preparing healthier meals with a focus on affordable and culturally relevant foods that can be found locally. With support from Abbott and NACHC, we aim to help our neighbors with chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension eat better and healthier.”
