INDIANAPOLIS — Meals on Wheels on Wheels of Central Indiana (MOWCI) announced that it has secured a $1 million grant from the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) to support the delivery of medically-tailored meals to low-income individuals living with HIV.
The grant is allowing MOWCI to provide meal delivery in areas with some of the greatest populations of people living with HIV, including Allen, Delaware, Lake, Marion and Scott Counties. MOWCI is partnering with existing service providers in the targeted communities, or shipping meals directly to individuals participating in the program. In addition, MOWCI is maintaining an office in Lake County to help meet their goals in that area.
A steady program of medically-tailored meals increases absorption of medication and reduces side effects, which in turn improves adherence to medication, strengthens the immune system, maintains healthy body weight and improves overall health. Adherence to HIV medication has been proven to increase by 23 percent with proper medical nutrition therapy.
MOWCI already has implemented two initiatives targeting chronically ill individuals. Its Head Start Program for Seniors provides meal deliveries for seniors upon their discharge from Eskenazi Health. Launched in 2015, the Head Start program has lowered hospital readmission rates to 4.8 percent, compared to the national average of 22 percent.