Livingston County Health Department Officials say they are seeing the results of a local program that provides access to healthy food for residents.

The Prescription for Health program helps provide access to fruits and vegetables to patients who are at risk for or have a chronic disease. Essentially a physician writes a prescription referring their patient to the program, and the patient is then enrolled through the Health Department. Patients receive tokens to spend on fruits and vegetables at participating farmer’s markets and food pantries.

Health Promotions Coordinator Chelsea Moxlow says the program is going really well, and the LCHD has enrolled patients almost to the program’s full capacity. Moxlow says they have seen examples of the program’s success, sharing a story of one client in particular.

Moxlow says the patient is strictly Spanish-speaking and cannot read; Spanish or English. Moxlow says the client only has a third-grade education and has not attempted to ask for help in the past from community services or programs because she wasn’t able to communicate with others. The LCHD was able to meet with the patient and a translator and help her enroll in the Prescription for Health program, while also aid her with other needs.

Moxlow says working in public health includes a lot of “behind the scenes” work and appreciates stories that show they’ve made a difference in people’s lives. Funding for the program is covered in full by Saint Joseph Mercy Livingston and is expected to continue in subsequent years. (DK)