The New York Times recently highlighted this little recognized link to poor Covid outcomes: “People with poorly controlled diabetes are especially vulnerable to severe illness from Covid, partly because diabetes impairs the immune system but also because those with the disease often struggle with high blood pressure, obesity and other underlying medical conditions that can seriously worsen a coronavirus infection.
“It’s hard to overstate just how devastating the pandemic has been for Americans with diabetes,” said Dr. Giuseppina Imperatore, who oversees diabetes prevention and treatment at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”
Chronic illness nutrition programs like TOUCH’s are an important part of a successful public health response to COVID.
Not only have we provided medical case management to those with chronic illness for over thirty years, for over twenty years we have been at the forefront of the “food as medicine” movement, recognizing how important nutrition is for improving health outcomes, both for individuals and communities.
TOUCH provides access to healthy food options through our GET FRESH, Ryan White and Eating Well Medical Nutrition Therapy programs. Latino and Black Americans are disproportionately affected by higher rates of type 2 diabetes, which is largely preventable through a healthy diet and exercise. A majority of TOUCH’s members are people of color, and we provide not only nutrition education, but access to healthy food that keeps them thriving. Our food pantry has recently re-opened for in-person client choice shopping for our members, while we continue to deliver healthy groceries to the doors of our homebound members.
TOUCH continues to work to raise awareness about “food as medicine.” We believe, as our name says, that unity can heal, and that healthier individuals lead to stronger communities.
To support our mission for a healthier Rockland County, please click to donate below, or the volunteer tab above.