Matthew Collins, M.D., M.B.A. is BCBSRI’s executive vice president and chief medical officer, with comprehensive oversight for our medical management, care management, utilization management, and behavioral health management areas. Matt’s goals are ensuring our members get the right care at the right time in the right setting, while leading our efforts to control the increase of total medical expenses. He also brings a unique perspective to his role with a background as a family physician.
This month, we’ll prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving – a holiday based around the “three Fs": family, football, and (lots of) food. So, it got me thinking, especially about the food part. As physicians, we have of course been trained to treat people with medicine. But, there’s a separate school of thought that looks at food as medicine. There are many links between whole, natural foods – including a plant-based diet – and improved health outcomes/better emotional health.
While we certainly can’t replace medicine with food, what we eat does have a significant effect on our overall health. Research shows that food choices and dietary habits can influence our risk of disease. Many nutrients in certain foods can offer medicinal qualities that could protect us from disease. For example, vegetables, fruits, beans, and grains are a great source of antioxidants that can protect cells from damage, decrease inflammation, and boost the immune system.
Nutrition is a core component of Lifespan’s Intensive Cardiac Rehab Program. BCBSRI has partnered with Lifespan to create a pilot for its members who are obese and have diabetes. Based on the research and findings of Dr. Dean Ornish and his Intensive Cardiac Rehab Program, the program is focused on four lifestyle pillars: nutrition, activity, stress management, and emotional support. This is the only lifestyle medicine program that has been proven to reverse the progression of coronary heart disease in randomized, controlled clinical trials, and is the only program of its kind available in New England.
The nutrition pillar of the program is based on a whole-food, plant-based approach to eating. Participants receive a daily, plant-based meal during each session (they meet twice a week for four hours, for nine weeks), made by a private chef. Each meal includes a main dish with a plant-based protein, a vegetable, whole grains, and a healthy dessert. Program manager Julianne DeAngelis notes that by letting participants see the types of food they should be eating in front of them rather than just talking about it, the program has made it easier and less daunting for them to duplicate similar meals at home, and the intent is for that to increase their chances of success.
Besides being a plant-based diet, Dr. Hank Wu, director of Lifespan’s Cardiovascular Institute (CVI) Wellness and Prevention Center, adds that the diet these patients are on – per the strict standards of the Ornish program – is roughly 10% fat content per day. For comparison, he says the “typical" American diet is about 35% fat content, and a typical low-fat diet is considered less than 30%. To help patients overcome challenges they might face, the program also has a registered dietitian who works with them to provide alternatives if necessary, as well as guidance to help keep them on track. Dr. Wu also adds that data shows more than 80% of cardiovascular disease can be attributed to behavior-related factors, with a major one being what we eat.
Food as a social determinant of health
BCBSRI has made a significant commitment and investments to ensure that our community – and in particular our older population – have access to healthy, nutritious food. This is one of many social determinants of health, along with employment, safe and affordable housing, reliable transportation, and others. For older adults especially, these factors can impact their ability to stay active in their community, stay engaged socially, manage their health conditions, and live independently.
Besides ongoing programs to support Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island and the RI Food Bank, to help address access to food and food insecurity we’re offering our Medicare members free monthly grocery delivery through December of this year – including a free Thanksgiving meal. In addition, starting in 2023 our Medicare Advantage plans will offer members a free week’s worth of freshly made meals delivered to their home following a hospital or skilled nursing facility stay.
Obrigado!
I wanted to “toot our own horn" for a second and call your attention to BCBSRI once again earning the highest Star rating from CMS for our 2023 Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO plans. You play a significant part in this distinction, so thank you for your partnership and all you do every day to help our members stay safe and healthy!
In November, we recognize American Diabetes Month, National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and many other important health-related observances. And of course, we salute our veterans on Veterans Day. Wishing you a happy Thanksgiving!