Molina Healthcare of Illinois Celebrates National Nutrition Month
March is National Nutrition Month, a timely opportunity to highlight the importance of food security and its impact on health. Molina Healthcare of Illinois (“Molina”) is committed to making a difference in communities throughout Illinois and is proud to work alongside our community partners to support Illinoisians in a variety of ways, especially when it comes to nutrition and food insecurity.
In Illinois, more than 3 million people live in food deserts, a disparity that has broad reaching impacts on health. Nationwide, studies show that food-insecure adults are at an increased risk for obesity and chronic health conditions. Furthermore, the Illinois Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Report shows food insecurity is associated with pregnancy-related mortality, putting the health and wellness of expecting mothers at risk. To address disparities, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Food is Medicine program is developing a strategy to reduce nutrition-related chronic diseases and address food insecurity to improve health across the nation.
In alignment with the Food is Medicine program, Molina partners with community organizations across the state to address food insecurity in Illinois. Through community events and meaningful partnerships, Molina aids local families by improving access to nutritious meals and equipping community members with crucial resources and information. In 2024 alone, Molina participated in 16 community events that provided nearly 3,000 baskets of food and more than 2,200 hot meals to residents across Illinois.
To further support this effort, Molina Healthcare of Illinois is excited to launch a new partnership withFoodsmart this March that will bolster nutrition support for local families and community residents. Foodsmart is the nation’s leading telenutrition and foodcare provider, offering telehealth nutrition and food security counseling with the goal of lowering healthcare costs while supporting moms, babies, and the community. Through this partnership, Molina Medicaid members who are pregnant or postpartum will gain access to virtual nutrition counseling from a network of registered dietitians, a personalized digital nutrition platform, and medically appropriate, nutritious meals designed to support maternal and infant health.
Molina Healthcare of Illinois is committed to addressing food insecurity and providing access to whole-person care for all Illinoisians. During National Nutrition Month and beyond, Molina is improving health outcomes and equity throughout Illinois by bridging barriers to essential health services, investing in community-based initiatives, and addressing social determinants of health such as food insecurity to support our overall mission of building healthier communities.
