1079-OR: VeggieRx: A Produce Prescription Program to Improve Glycemic, Blood Pressure, and Weight Outcomes in Adults with Diabetes and Prediabetes in South Carolina

Introduction and Objective: Diabetes and prediabetes are prevalent in South Carolina and disproportionately affect African Americans. Lack of access to healthy food impedes control of glucose, blood pressure and weight. VeggieRx, a fruit/vegetable prescription program, aims to increase fresh produce intake to reduce A1C, blood pressure and weight, to mitigate food insecurity and lower healthcare costs. Methods: VeggieRx enrolls patients aged ≥18 years with pre-diabetes or diabetes, providing free FoodShare Fresh Food Boxes biweekly, totaling 13 boxes in six months. We enrolled 676 patients: 66% had diabetes (A1C >6.5%) and 34% prediabetes (A1C 5.7-6.5%); 54% were Black, 23% White, 15% Hispanic and 9% unknown or other race: 64% were aged 40-64 years; 65% were obese, 25% overweight; 32% had Stage 1 hypertension, 37% Stage 2, and 3% were in ‘hypertensive crisis’. Key outcomes (A1C, systolic blood pressure [SBP], diastolic blood pressure [DBP], weight and body mass index [BMI]) were measured at baseline and six months. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests: p<0.05 was considered significant. Results: At six months, A1C decreased from 8.4 to 7.7% (p = 0.0001) (significant in Black: 8.8 to 8.0%, p = 0.0001; White: 8.3 to 7.7%, p = 0.0001; and Hispanic: 7.5 to 7.0%, p = 0.004). SBP decreased from 135.5 to 132.5 mmHg (p = 0.0001) (Black: 136.4 to 134.0 mmHg, p = 0.012; White: 133.9 to 130.8 mmHg, p = 0.016; and Hispanic: 132.8 to 127.5 mmHg, p = 0.001). DBP decreased from 81.6 to 79.5 mmHg (p = 0.0001) (Black: 82.4 to 80.0 mmHg, p=0.0001: White: 80.5 to 78.4 mmHg, p=0.003; Hispanic: NS). Weight decreased by 2.5 lbs (p = 0.0001) and BMI decreased from 34.2 to 33.8 kg/m² (p = 0.0001) (both significant in all groups). Conclusion: VeggieRx demonstrated significant improvements in A1C, blood pressure and weight in adults with diabetes and prediabetes. Similar programs may offer a scalable, nutrition-based approach to improving health in high-burden regions like South Carolina.