Photos courtesy of Fairview Health Services.
More than 38 million Americans have diabetes. As cases of this chronic condition continue to rise, UnitedHealth Group’s partnership with Fairview Health Services headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is helping to manage and reduce this number by supporting access to nutritious food.
When people experience food insecurity, which means not having enough or sufficient quality of food, they are also at heightened risk of negative health outcomes and chronic conditions. These include obesity, depression, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Fairview’s Fair Table initiative improves access to culturally appropriate, healthy foods by connecting providers, payers, and local food systems to deliver whole-person care, education, and nutrition through a sustainable supply chain. Since 2022, UnitedHealth Group’s strategic investment and technical assistance has supported Fairview to evaluate and expand the use of food resource navigators. Navigators connect patients with programs and resources that best fit their situations, preferences and nutritional needs.
“Once it’s been determined that a person is experiencing food insecurity, their health care provider makes a referral. I follow up with the patient, whether that’s enrollment in a Fair Table program, a warm handoff to a community partner or resource, or navigating other support services,” said Mang Vang, a food resource navigator with Fairview.
Earlier this month, which is Chronic Condition Awareness Month, Fairview received the American Hospital Association’s 2025 Foster G. McGaw Prize for its efforts to create a healthier community for all.
Mang Vang, a food resource navigator, helps connect patients to nutritious food to improve health.
By the numbers
7.1% decrease
in A1c levels
After the first year of the program’s food resource navigation intervention, participants experienced health improvements including an average 7.1% decrease in A1c levels (from 8.5 to 7.9) and 55% of participants decreased their blood pressure.
37,000 lbs.
of local-grown produce
Through the partnership which included The Good Acre and The Food Group, Fairview has bought and distributed more than 37,000 pounds of locally grown produce through 42 local farmers. This translates into nearly 45,000 meals.
76.4% increase
food-access confidence
76.4% of patients reported increased confidence in food access after engaging with a food resource navigator. Food resource navigation and food distribution has expanded throughout the Minneapolis-St. Paul region through this program.
“Food insecurity can contribute to chronic conditions and negative health outcomes. We are honored to partner with Fairview on this initiative, which reflects our deep commitment to addressing social drivers of health to reduce health disparities — an enterprise priority reflected in our mission. Food truly is medicine, and this partnership is a prime example of how key stakeholders in the health system can proactively work together to create healthier communities.”
Catherine Anderson | senior vice president of Health Optimization Strategy, UnitedHealth Group
Catalyst for change
UnitedHealth Group has developed many scalable, community-led care models to strengthen diabetes management, reduce downstream costs and improve health system performance. Its collaboration with Fairview in Minneapolis-St. Paul is just one of 30 health care collaboratives across the country.
Photos courtesy of Fairview Health Services.
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