Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance is a Missed Opportunity for Improving Nutrition & Wellness

The Overlooked Link Between Food & Employee Health

Chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity are largely preventable, but they continue to plague millions of working Americans. According to the USDA Economic Research Service, 66% of households experiencing food insecurity have at least one adult working full- or part-time. This means that many employed people still struggle to afford the nutritious food they need to stay healthy. 

Despite the clear link between nutrition and chronic disease, data on “Food as Medicine” is still very limited in privately insured populations (Source: USDA, 2022; Economic Research Service). 

Employers Are Missing the Bigger Picture 

Employers often focus on cost containment and return on investment (ROI) when it comes to health benefits. But there’s a growing need to shift toward Value on Investment (VOI), a broader metric that considers: 

• Employee well-being 

• Productivity and performance 

• Morale and retention 

Poor nutrition contributes to chronic conditions, which in turn leads to absenteeism, higher healthcare costs, and low employee engagement. Supporting food-based wellness could be a game-changer.

What Can Be Done?

• Employers should integrate Food as Medicine strategies into their wellness plans. 

• Insurance providers can partner with food delivery programs like Nurish’d to offer medically tailored meals. 

• Shift the mindset from "treatment" to prevention and nutrition.

It's time for health insurance to do more than pay hospital bills. It’s time to help people avoid the hospital altogether. 

Sources:

USDA Economic Research Service (2022), "Employment status of food-insecure U.S. households" 

Keisler-Starkey & Bunch, U.S. Census Bureau (2024)