EmblemHealth has launched a pilot programme delivering medically tailored meals to individuals with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease in partnership with physician-researcher Dr. Dean Ornish and meal service CookUnity. The initiative targets home delivery of plant-forward meals designed to support brain health and slow disease progression.
CookUnity, based in Brooklyn and serving Long Island, has developed the menu in collaboration with EmblemHealth’s clinical team and an in-house nutritionist. The current offering includes 14 vegetarian meals inspired by global cuisines, with plans to expand to 28. All meals follow strict clinical nutritional guidelines aligned with the principles of the Ornish lifestyle.
Participants are assessed by EmblemHealth’s provider group, Advantage Care Physicians, to integrate the meal programme into a broader lifestyle medicine plan aimed at supporting cognitive health and caregiver assistance. The meals are prepared by a team of experienced chefs, focusing on reducing salt and unhealthy fats while maintaining quality and flavour.
The programme addresses growing demand for accessible, nutritious, and culturally relevant meal solutions for Alzheimer’s patients. In New York State, Alzheimer’s affects over 426,000 residents, while more than 7 million people live with the condition nationwide. The initiative reflects a broader trend of health insurers and service providers integrating diet-based interventions into chronic disease management.