RJI Presents | Food is Medicine: A Conversation with Dr. Lauren Fiechtner (Online)

Lauren Fiechtner, MD, MPH will join us to discuss her groundbreaking work on the harmful effects of hunger on health. As the director of nutrition in the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition at Mass General Brigham, Dr. Fiechtner is a leader in a nationwide “Food is Medicine” strategy that recognizes food insecurity as a key driver of health. In her practice, she sees both the effects of nutrition-related chronic diseases and how food can prevent chronic health conditions. Just as hunger is harmful to health, so too is nutritious food a key to healthy development.

In her role as the senior health and research advisor for the Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB), Dr. Fiechtner conducts an annual statewide survey on food access and equity. As the first food bank in the country to hire a medical director on staff and establish a Health and Research team, GBFB hopes that Dr. Fiechtner’s research will persuade politicians, health plans, providers and citizens to tackle this serious issue of food insecurity among our neighbors. Learn more about the hunger epidemic plaguing the US and Massachusetts now and efforts to end hunger now.

Hunger is an epidemic, affecting 44 million Americans. One in three households (34%) in Massachusetts experience food insecurity which disproportionately affects families of color, LGBTQ individuals, single mothers, and seniors. Even in our wealthy communities surrounding TBE, our neighbors need help.

Registration: This event is available online. Please click the appropriate purple bar above to register.

This event is sponsored by TBE’s Racial Justice Initiative, which works to increase our understanding and activism to address ongoing discrimination and inequality.