DALLAS, Nov. 3, 2025 — Health Care by FoodTM (HCXF), the American Heart Association’s food is medicine initiative, will take the stage at Scientific Sessions 2025 to showcase its comprehensive efforts to incorporate healthy food into health care – a transformational approach to treat, manage and prevent chronic diseases.

The initiative, launched in 2023 with foundational support from The Rockefeller Foundation, is building scientific evidence for effective food-is-medicine interventions, supporting public policies that move research forward and educating health care professionals and others in the health care system about food is medicine’s potential to improve public health.

Scientific Sessions is a premier global exchange of the latest scientific advancements, research and evidence-based clinical practice updates in cardiovascular science. The meeting, to be held Nov. 7-10, 2025, in New Orleans, will feature the following research studies funded by Health Care by Food:

  • Examining the Impact of Medically Tailored Meals vs Produce Supplements Delivered Conditionally vs Unconditionally on Heart Failure Readmissions and Emergency Department Visits: A Randomized Clinical Trial will be discussed by Ambarish Pandey, MD, associate professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center, at the session titled Recipes for Success in Heart Failure on Mon., Nov. 10, 9:45-11:00 am CT in Main Event 1.
  • DASH-Patterned Groceries Reduce Blood Pressure: Results from the GoFresh Randomized Clinical Trial will be presented by Stephen P. Juraschek, M.D., Ph.D., physician investigator, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center - Harvard Medical School, at the session titled Practice Changing Trials in Blood Pressure Control on Sun., Nov. 9, 3:30-4:45 in Main Event 1.

The above studies also will be discussed at a live Sessions news briefing on Sun., Nov. 9, 9:30–10:30 am CT.

  • Designing Medically Tailored Meal Interventions: The Food as Medicine For Families (FAME-F) Randomized Clinical Trial will be presented by Seth Berkowitz, M.D., MPH, associate professor of medicine and vice chief for research at the University of Carolina School of Medicine, at the session titled Food Insecurity & Cardiometabolic Health: From Evidence to Interventions on Sun., Nov. 9, from 11:30 am-12:30 pm CT in the Population Science Zone.
  • The Effect of Produce Prescription Dose Upon Benefit Redemption, Food Security, and Produce Consumption: a Randomized Trial will be presented by Ryan Kane, M.D., MPH, assistant professor at Tufts University School of Medicine, at the session titled Dietary Intervention Trials on Sat., Nov. 8, 9:15-10:30 am CT in the Population Science Zone.

The initiative’s work also will be discussed during the session titled The AHA Health Care by Food Initiative is Bearing Fruits: Early Results from the AHA Food is Medicine Pilot Projects on Mon., Nov. 10, 3:15-4:30 pm CT in meeting room 220-222. HCXF-funded studies to be discussed include:

  • A Clinical Trial of Healthy Food Subsidies and Behavioral Interventions to Increase Fruit and Vegetable Purchasing in an Online Store, presented by Kevin Volpp, M.D., Ph.D., HCXF research lead and the Mark V Pauly Professor at the Perelman School of Medicine and the Wharton School and Director of the Penn Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics, University of Pennsylvania.
  • A Dose of Freshness: Finding the Right Dose for Produce Prescriptions, presented by Hilary Seligman, M.D., MAS, professor of medicine, University of California San Francisco.
  • THRIVE: Adaptive Personalized Dietitian Coaching, Messaging and Produce Prescription to Improve Healthy Dietary Behaviors, presented by Bunmi V. Ogungbe, Ph.D., MPH, BNSc, RN, assistant professor, Johns Hopkins University.
  • Vouchers in Action: Findings from the Makin’ Healthy Groceries Study, presented by Adrian F. Hernandez, M.D., MHS, executive director, Duke Clinical Research Institute.
  • Maximizing Impact: Engaging Users in Food is Medicine Programs, presented by Christopher Long, Ph.D., principal research scientist, Center for Nutrition and Health Impact.

In addition, Health Care by Food will be hosting the first-ever Food Is Medicine (FIM) Pavilion at Scientific Sessions, where researchers, clinicians and community leaders will discuss the latest research, learn about bold advocacy efforts and hear powerful patient stories that are reshaping nutrition and health through food is medicine.

Programming at the FIM Pavillion, located in the Sessions Exhibit Hall, will include:

Saturday, Nov. 8

  • 9:45-11:00 am CT – Health Care by Food and Food Is Medicine Funded Studies
    • HCXF-funded researchers will provide the latest updates on research studies on effective FIM interventions
  • 1:30-2:45 pm CT – From Pilots to Practice: Advancing Engagement Strategies and Behavior Change Tactics to Strengthen FIM Intervention Development and Integration into Health Care
    • Moderator: Andrew Bremer, M.D., Ph.D., MAS, Director, NIH Office of Nutrition Research
  • 3:15-4:15 pm CT – Food is Medicine 3-Minute Oral Pitch Contest
    • Judges: Andrew Bremer, M.D., Ph.D., MAS, Director, NIH Office of Nutrition Research; Lisa Sanders, executive director, HCXF; Kevin Volpp, research lead, HCXF

Sunday, Nov. 9

  • 9:45-10:15 am CT – Health Care by Food and Food Is Medicine Funded Studies
    • HCXF-funded researchers will provide the latest updates on research studies on effective FIM interventions
  • 10:15-11:00 am CT – Transforming Health Through Food: HCXF Lived Experience Patients Share Food is Medicine Journey
    • Members of the HXCF Lived Experience Patient Advisory Group will discuss their personal experience with chronic disease
  • 3:15-4:15 pm CT – Food is Medicine Pilots in Medicaid: Early Outcomes, Evaluation Lessons and the Clinician’s Role

Monday, Nov. 10

  • 9:45-10:15 am CT – Health Care by Food and Food Is Medicine Funded Studies
    • HCXF-funded researchers will provide the latest updates on research studies on effective FIM interventions

Health Care by Food has funded 23 early-stage clinical research studies focused on rapid cycle innovation, adaptive designs and attention to lived experiences. Learnings from these will help to inform real-world trials to include implementation science and behavioral economics for improving engagement, translating evidence into practice and promoting broad implementation and insurance coverage.

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About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

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