Research & Practice
Plant Based Protein Integration in Medically Tailored Meals: Applying a Culturally Responsive Lens
Project Open Hand (POH) is an organization that has been providing medically tailored meals (MTMs) to under resourced residents of the greater San Francisco area since the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the mid-1980s. The organization – whose mission is to improve health outcomes and quality of life for ill and vulnerable community members through nourishing food – serves as a reliable source of appropriate, adequate meals for seniors as well as food-insecure clients with disease-responsive chronic illnesses such as HIV/AIDS, ESRD, cardiovascular disease, and CKD. With California’s recent implementation of Medicaid 1115 waivers and expanded public interest in food-as-medicine programs, POH’s capacity to provide MTMs via home delivery and offer congregate meals for seniors has increased, and this project focused on laying the foundation for the organization’s growing efforts to provide more culturally familiar and plant-based meals.
Project Type(s): MPH Fieldwork
Author(s): Mariam Kayali
Program(s): Master of Public Health, RDN Training
Year: 2024
Adviser(s):