UAMS, Walmart team up on food insecurity, wellness collaboration
by March 17, 2025 2:23 pm 693 views
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and Walmart announced Monday (March 17) a collaboration to increase access to nutritious food across Arkansas. The statewide program begins in March.
Through the collaboration, participants in select research projects at the UAMS Institute for Community Health Innovation will receive Walmart Wellness Benefit cards to be specifically used at Walmart stores for various health-related items, including healthy foods and baby care items.
The number of cards and card amounts will be determined on a project-by-project basis. Various research projects within the institute will participate in the program, including CenteringPregnancy and Delivering HOPE, a new program that will include nutritional counseling, case management and grocery deliveries.
“Working with Walmart is a giant step forward toward improving nutrition and reducing barriers to health for Arkansans across the state,” said Pearl McElfish, Ph.D., director of the Institute for Community Health Innovation. “While we can only offer this benefit to eligible participants in some of our research projects, the information we gain through this program may help us address food insecurity and reduce health barriers for years to come.”
Additionally, for each participant that opts-in, UAMS and Walmart will use Walmart’s Everyday Health Signals program to generate nutrition-focused insights. The insights will assist UAMS in measuring the project’s effectiveness and support the development of new ways to combat nutrition insecurity.
“We’re pleased to join UAMS in finding ways to reduce food insecurity and increase access to nutritious foods in our communities,” said Ralph Clare, senior vice president of Health and Wellness Merchandising for Walmart.
Researchers at the institute also are analyzing the effect of healthy food delivery and education on diabetes management and gestational weight gain. In one recent study, the institute facilitated more than 2,000 food-as-medicine deliveries to research participants.