UAMS and Walmart Work Together to Address Food Insecurity and Improve Wellness

LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and Walmart are collaborating to increase access to nutritious food across Arkansas.
Through the collaboration, participants in select research projects at the UAMS Institute for Community Health Innovation will receive Walmart Wellness Benefit cards to be specifically used at Walmart stores for various health-related items, including healthy foods and baby care items.
The statewide program begins in March. The number of cards and card amounts will be determined on a project-by-project basis. Various research projects within the institute will participate in the program, including CenteringPregnancy and Delivering HOPE, a new program that will include nutritional counseling, case management and grocery deliveries.
“Working with Walmart is a giant step forward toward improving nutrition and reducing barriers to health for Arkansans across the state,” said Pearl McElfish, Ph.D., director of the Institute for Community Health Innovation. “While we can only offer this benefit to eligible participants in some of our research projects, the information we gain through this program may help us address food insecurity and reduce health barriers for years to come.”

Additionally, for each participant that opts-in, UAMS and Walmart will leverage Walmart’s Everyday Health Signals program to generate nutrition-focused insights. These insights will assist UAMS in measuring the project’s effectiveness and support the development of novel ways to combat nutrition insecurity.
“We’re pleased to join UAMS in finding ways to reduce food insecurity and increase access to nutritious foods in our communities,” said Ralph Clare, senior vice president of Health and Wellness Merchandising for Walmart.
Researchers at the institute are also analyzing the effect of healthy food delivery and education on diabetes management and gestational weight gain. In one recent study, the institute facilitated more than 2,000 food-as-medicine deliveries to research participants.