In the study, Food Insecurity Interventions to Improve Blood Pressure, recently published in JAMA Internal Medicine, Reinvestment Partners’ produce prescription program (Eat Well) “produced better blood pressure control than a delivered food box”. The study found that Eat Well lowered blood pressure 5.4mm systolic and 6.9mm diastolic from base line. This was a greater impact than food boxes (-2.5mm difference) at a lower cost of $40 vs $115 per month per participant. Results lasted beyond the conclusion of the program.

The journal’s editor noted that “at a population level, a reduction of this magnitude can substantially reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and mortality across a population”.