Project Summary/Abstract
The purpose of this K01 Mentored Research Scientist Development Award is to promote the candidate's
development as an independent health disparities researcher, with a focus on primary care interventions
to address disparities in food insecurity and social isolation among adults with chronic conditions. Dr.
Thompson-Lastad will use mixed-methods research to study the effectiveness and implementation of
primary care interventions in order to meet her long-term career goal of advancing health equity in
diverse communities. Towards this end, the proposed mentored research for this K01 award is to assess
an innovative model of care that provides prescriptions for fresh fruit and vegetables with or without
group medical visits (GMVs) to ethnically and linguistically diverse, low-income patients. To support this
research and Dr. Thompson-Lastad’s goal of independent health equity research, this K01 proposal
includes formal, mentored training through coursework and tailored tutorials in quantitative methods for
practice-based research, measurement of social needs in health care settings, community-engaged
methods, and responsible conduct of research. This training will be applied to research with two specific
aims: (1) Assess the implementation of produce prescriptions and group medical visits at nine clinics
using a longitudinal process evaluation; and (2) Examine changes in food insecurity and social isolation
among 400 adults with diabetes receiving produce prescriptions with and without GMV participation.
This research leverages interventions implemented by a USDA-funded partnership which includes a
network of Federally Qualified Health Centers, county government, and local farms. The partnership will
design and implement the intervention. University of California, San Francisco is an ideal environment
for the proposed training because it provides access to experts in health disparities, social needs, and
diabetes. Completion of the proposed research and career development activities will inform the
development of an R01-level clinical trial focused on how group medical visits with food access
components influence social connectedness, health outcomes, and social needs over time among FQHC
populations. Completing the K01 will ensure Dr. Thompson-Lastad’s ability to conduct independent
research on primary care interventions to advance health equity among ethnically diverse, multilingual
populations.