The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has released a report applauding a number of hospital foodservice programs for the quality of their beverage programs. Entitled “Encouraging Healthier Choices in Hospitals,” the report highlights 11 hospitals across the country that have implemented programs designed to reduce the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and/or increase sales of healthier drinks. The report was compiled with the help of the Healthy Food in Health Care program.
Aviva Musicus, project assistant for CSPI’s health promotion policy and biotechnology, says beverages were targeted because of the health threat they present. “From a health standpoint, carbonated soft drinks are one of the biggest sources of calories in the American diet,” Musicus says, “providing about 7% of calories. Consumption of these beverages can lead to weight gain, obesity and diabetes. As healthcare institutions, it is important that hospitals work to remove these beverages from their premises.”
She adds that CSPI hopes the “success stories” in the report will encourage others to follow suit. The report also offers tips for hospitals wrestling with changing beverage consumption habits.
Among the hospitals reviewed:
- Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, Conn.: The facility’s Sound Mind, Sound Body program set a goal in 2012 of increasing healthy beverage sales by 20%. Through a variety of educational tools, such as a wellness newsletter, a traffic-light labeling system and taste tests, in the first two quarters of 2013, the center saw an increase in healthy beverage sales of 44% and 72%, respectively.
- Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, N.H.: In 2012, the hospital eliminated all sugar-sweetened beverages. This has been so successful that, as of Jan 1, 2014, all facilities within the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Community Group Practice had adopted the same practice.
- Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego: In October 2012 the hospital introduced Rethink Your Drink. Within a year, the program saw a 35% reduction in the sale of sugar-sweetened beverages, even as overall sales revenue increased. The hospital is now working to expand the program into the community.