New research shows even stronger health outcomes for participants in a 'Food is Medicine' program when paired with support from community health workers
Rhea-AI Summary
Abbott (NYSE:ABT) reported new research from its Healthy Food Rx “Food is Medicine” program, paired with community health worker coaching, in 284 adults with type 2 diabetes over six months.
Participants showed higher fruit, vegetable and water intake, more physical activity, better self-management, improved self-reported health and reduced food insecurity.
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News Market Reaction – ABT
On the day this news was published, ABT gained 0.09%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | 24h Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 27 | CE Mark approval | Positive | -1.1% | Received CE Mark for dual glucose‑ketone Libre Duo sensing systems. |
| May 27 | Guideline update | Positive | -1.1% | ACS guidelines reaffirmed leadership in noninvasive colorectal cancer screening. |
| May 26 | Clinical data update | Positive | -0.8% | Showcased 11 cancer diagnostics abstracts and pipeline evidence at ASCO 2026. |
| Apr 28 | Regulatory clearance | Positive | +1.1% | Received FDA clearance and CE Mark for Ultreon 3.0 AI coronary imaging platform. |
| Apr 17 | Clinical data update | Positive | +1.4% | Reported AACR 2026 data on Cancerguard multi‑cancer early detection test. |
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Recent positive product and guideline news has often seen mixed to negative next-day price reactions for ABT.
Over the past few months, Abbott has highlighted multiple advances across diagnostics and devices. In April–May 2026, it reported new multi-cancer early detection data, FDA clearance and CE Mark for its Ultreon 3.0 coronary imaging platform, and additional Cancerguard results. In late May, Abbott secured a CE Mark for dual glucose‑ketone sensors and saw ACS guidelines reaffirm leadership in noninvasive colorectal cancer screening. Despite generally positive news, price reactions have been mixed, which frames today’s community health and diabetes outcomes update within a pattern of modest market responses to scientific milestones.
Key Terms
food is medicine medical
type 2 diabetes medical
community health workers medical
glucose monitoring medical
medication adherence medical
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- Study at
ADA's Scientific Sessions shows participants in Abbott's Healthy Food Rx program combined with health coaching had significant health improvements - Abbott's Healthy Food Rx program is a Food is Medicine initiative delivering recipe-based food boxes and nutrition education to people living with diabetes
Conducted with the Public Health Institute Center for Wellness and Nutrition (PHI CWN), the Asian Pacific Self-Development and Residential Association (APSARA) and the Emergency Food Bank of
Key findings from the study revealed:
- Improved diet quality: Participants doubled daily vegetable intake (from 1.2 to 2.4 times per day) and nearly doubled daily fruit intake (from 1.2 to 2.3 times per day). Water intake also increased from 2.8 to 4.1 times per day.
- Increased physical activity: Participants significantly increased the frequency of exercise sessions lasting 10 or more minutes from 2.8 to 4.4 times per week.
- Stronger diabetes self-management: Participants significantly improved glucose monitoring, medication adherence and clinic attendance. Notably, the percentage of participants who reported they usually or always monitored their glucose increased from
28% to62% , and individuals who usually or always took their diabetes medication as prescribed increased from57% to94% . - Better physical and mental health: Those reporting good, very good or excellent physical health more than tripled from
21% to77% , and those reporting good, very good or excellent mental health more than doubled from34% to88% . - Reduced food insecurity: Food insecurity decreased significantly from
91% to76% for program participants.
"This research adds to the evidence supporting Food is Medicine and adds new insight on the significant impact that community-centered approaches can have on diabetes care," said Maggie Wilkin, director of research and evaluation, Public Health Institute Center for Wellness and Nutrition. "These findings show that pairing healthy food access with culturally responsive, patient-centered coaching can help people feel better physically and mentally."
"Abbott's Healthy Food Rx program shows what's possible when people receive not only healthy food, but also encouragement and coaching from someone they trust who understands their daily realities," said Melissa Brotz, senior vice president, Global Marketing and External Affairs, Abbott and president of Abbott Fund. "Food is Medicine is most powerful when it combines healthy food access with the knowledge, confidence and support people need to manage their health."
"Many people with diabetes face real-world challenges in getting the care and support they need to live healthy. Community health workers can play a powerful role in helping people manage chronic illness because they bring trust, understanding and consistency to the work," said David Daraseng, project coordinator, APSARA.
About the study
Study participants received home-delivered, family-sized healthy food boxes every other week for six months from EFB, along with health coaching in their preferred language from APSARA. Each Healthy Food Rx box included ingredients for healthy family meals such as pantry staples, proteins, fruits and vegetables, along with a recipe card and access to optional online cooking classes with diabetes education. Community health workers co-created and delivered monthly lessons and conducted twice-monthly follow-ups to support goal setting, motivation and diabetes self-management.
The study evaluation was conducted over two six-month rounds, examining changes in diet, physical activity, food security, diabetes self-management and self-reported health before and after participation. Full study results can be found here.
About Abbott's Healthy Food Rx
These findings build on results from other Healthy Food Rx studies. An earlier 12-month study showed clinically significant improvements for participants, with lower A1C levels and improved diabetes self-management, overall diet quality and food security, and a randomized controlled trial demonstrated improved diet and self-reported health among participants.
Abbott's Healthy Food Rx is one of the largest community-focused Food is Medicine programs in the
Healthy Food Rx is part of Abbott's Future Well™ Communities program, a multi-year effort launched in 2019 to advance health access and address chronic disease by removing barriers that prevent people from living fuller lives through better health.
About the Public Health Institute and the Center for Wellness and Nutrition
The Public Health Institute, an independent nonprofit organization, advances wellbeing and health equity with communities around the world. PHI develops research, leadership and partnerships to build strong public health policy, programs, systems and practices. For more information, visit phi.org. The Center for Wellness and Nutrition (CWN, centerforwellnessandnutrition.org), a program of the Public Health Institute, is a national leader in developing campaigns, programs and partnerships to promote wellness and equitable practices in the most vulnerable communities in California and across the country.
About APSARA
The Asian Pacific Self-Development and Residential Association (APSARA) is a grassroots nonprofit community-based organization serving
About the Emergency Food Bank of
The Emergency Food Bank Stockton/
About Abbott and Abbott Fund
Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 122,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries. Together with our foundation, Abbott Fund, we partner with trusted organizations to build programs that strengthen care, improve access and help families and communities thrive. We're committed to building a healthier future by inspiring lifelong habits that support well-being and help to prevent chronic disease for generations to come. Connect with us at Abbott.com and on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
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