Americans Embrace Food Is Medicine as a Core Health Strategy
A recent nationally representative survey, commissioned by The Rockefeller Foundation and conducted by Hattaway Communications, polled 2,271 Americans across all 50 states between February 28 and March 11, 2025. The results reveal strong and broad-based public support for integrating food and nutrition services into the healthcare system.
According to the report, “more than 4 in 5 Americans believe healthcare should offer more food and nutrition programs to treat and manage illnesses”. Remarkably, “nearly 9 in 10 patients would prefer to rely more on healthy eating than on medications to manage their condition” - a powerful testament to public trust in nutrition as a form of medical intervention.
There is also strong bipartisan consensus around insurance coverage: “nearly 4 in 5 Americans think that Food Is Medicine programs should be covered by both public and private insurance - including 85 % of Democrats and 78 % of Republicans”.
Low Awareness, But High Receptivity
Despite low pre-existing awareness - only 13 % of Americans had heard of Food Is Medicine programs - response shifted dramatically upon learning the program’s definition. Once informed, 84 % of respondents believed Food Is Medicine could improve the overall quality of health in the U.S., and 79 % said Food Is Medicine programs would personally help them eat better.
The Public’s View on the Role of Food in Healthcare
The report frames Food is Medicine as “a way to treat and prevent diet-related medical conditions by providing patients with access to healthy foods, education around cooking and nutrition, and support for adopting healthy eating habits into their everyday lives.”
In short, the public sees Food Is Medicine not as an add-on but as “an effective, commonsense part of treating chronic illness”.
Supporting Research and Broader Context
Further data reinforce the Food Is Medicine imperative:
Over 38 % of Americans - roughly 133 million people - live with chronic conditions, many of which are diet-related, contributing to $1.1 trillion annually in health-related costs, roughly equivalent to total food spending in the U.S.
Medically tailored meals alone could reduce healthcare spending by an estimated $32.1 billion annually.
Studies led by Tufts and others have shown Food Is Medicine interventions improve health outcomes, lower chronic disease risk factors, and can be cost-efficient.
Leaders across healthcare systems, including Dr. Rajiv J. Shah of The Rockefeller Foundation, emphasize: “Americans want nutrition and food solutions to help them eat better, improve their health, and save money”.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
The findings are clear: Americans are ready to embrace Food is Medicine as a vital component of healthcare - across political lines, demographic groups, and health statuses. Yet awareness remains uneven, highlighting the need for education, provider engagement, and coverage reforms.
If medicine is to keep pace with prevention and equity, healthcare systems, insurers, and policymakers must elevate nutritious food from optional to essential. As this report makes evident, the public is already on board; now, interventions must catch up.
The Santé Foundation stands ready to leverage these findings in advocacy, policy development, and healthcare system transformation.
