Big Sandy Health Care, a Federally Qualified Health Center in Prestonsburg, KY, provides comprehensive primary care and specialty services for residents of five counties in eastern Kentucky. It operates 12 fixed clinic sites, seven school-based health centers, and mobile medical and dental units.
Big Sandy’s vision is to create a community where caregivers, staff, and patients work together to improve quality of life.
The region served by Big Sandy faces significant health disparities, including high rates of diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. Managing these conditions can be especially challenging for patients who have limited incomes, live far from true grocery stores, and lack reliable transportation.
The FarmRx program helps to address these challenges by providing patients with chronic disease access to food and support services that can improve their health.
Patients enrolled in the FarmRx program receive:
- Monthly vouchers ranging from $20 to $50 to purchase healthy foods at local stores
- Ongoing support from an assigned Community Health Worker
Community Health Workers at Big Sandy play an important role in the success of the FarmRx program. They conduct home visits, identify needs, advocate, and help patients learn to manage their conditions. The workers also help participants prepare shopping lists and grocery shop; grow and maintain their own container gardens; and learn about healthy eating and benefits of fresh produce and lean meats.
The Farm Rx program benefits patients and the community by:
- Empowering patients to build healthy habits and manage chronic conditions
- Improving patients’ weight, blood pressure, and A1C levels
- Supporting local farmers, markets, and grocers
To learn more, contact Stephanie Clark, Chronic Disease Program Director, at 606-886-8546, ext. 1111, or at s.clark@bshc.org