By Healthcare Facilities Today

Traditionally, the focus of a hospital was caring for patients within the walls of their institutions, but recent research and a changing reimbursement environment have shifted that focus, according to an article on the Contract magazine website.

Recent research has more linked the health of an individual more strongly with their behavior and environment. In fact a recent survey on behalf of the American Hospital Association found that 98% of hospital CEOs agree, “at least at some level, that hospitals should investigate and implement population health management strategies.”[i]  One way that many institutions are looking at broad public health issues is through a fundamental shift in behavior and attitudes that include healthy food and eating habits, the article said.

Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, Wisconsin is the largest employer and as a not-for-profit, has always been committed to the health of its communities.  Recently, the organization has focused on the relationship between food and health and they have promoted this through a number of different community based venues, according to the article.  

In 2012, Gundersen partnered with the city of La Crosse to construct and participate in new community gardens in a neighborhood identified as a “food desert” or “a census tract with a substantial share of residents who live in low-income areas that have low levels of access to a grocery store or healthy, affordable food retail outlet”. 

The community gardens will also be used by Gundersen’s executive chef Thomas Sacksteder in teaching elementary school children about the importance of healthy eating, the article said. 

Read the article.