NACDS Receives 2024 Power of Associations Silver Award for “Expanding Access to Food is Medicine Through Pharmacies”

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) has been nameda 2024 Power of Associations Silver Award winner by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE)for its "Expanding Access to Food is Medicine Through Pharmacies" initiative.

NACDS was recognized for two distinct commitments that the Association made to the September 2022 White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health (White House Conference): NACDS' Nourish My Health public education campaign and an ongoing partnership between NACDS and the Milken Institute related to Food is Medicine.

"Congratulations to NACDS for exemplifying the impact associations have on the industries and professions they represent, and on society at large," said ASAE President and CEO Michelle Mason, FASAE, CAE. "It's incredibly satisfying to see associations going above and beyond their everyday mission to change the world. We're very proud to spotlight this award-winning initiative."

Launched in 2023 on the anniversary of the White House Conference as a collaboration with leading health organizations, NACDS' Nourish My Healthcampaign was created with the goal of amplifying the importance of preventive screenings and to raise awareness of the power of nutritious food as a part of lifestyle changes to improve health outcomes. To date, "Nourish My Health" has achieved nearly 180 million impressions, reaching Americans across the country, including those who live in rural areas and underserved communities and focusing on regions with disproportionate risk of diet-related diseases.

NACDS' Food Is Medicine work with the Milken Institute comes as a joint commitment between NACDS and the Milken Institute to the White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities (the Challenge). The Challenge was a nationwide call-to-action to stakeholders across the nation to build on the commitmentsmade at the historic White House Conference in September 2022 - and to help advance President Biden's goal to end hunger and reduce diet-related diseases by 2030.

In June 2024, the Milken Institute releaseda bold new Action Plan - "Catalyzing Action for Pharmacist-Provided Food Is Medicine Care" - which establishes the vital role of the pharmacy in advancing Food Is Medicine, and the actionable steps that public and private stakeholders should take to leverage pharmacist-provided Food Is Medicine care to effectively address nutrition, hunger, and health. NACDS supported the Milken Institute's independent work on the report.

"NACDS is honored to have received this award from the American Society of Association Executives,"said NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson. "Pharmacies are cornerstones of local healthcare, and they are uniquely positioned to serve the patient, wherever they may be on their healthcare journey. NACDS' vision for the future of retail health involves integrating pharmacy into value-based care, pharmacy interoperability, and broad health and wellness topics, including Food is Medicine."

"Importantly, NACDS' Food is Medicine work - for which we were recognized - embodies the very power of associations. NACDS is proud to serve our members as they create transformative changes for their patients, for their communities, and for society as a whole."

ASAE's Power of Associations Awards showcase how associations leverage their unique resources to solve problems, advance industry or professional performance, kick-start innovation, and improve conditions around the world.

ASAE will celebrate The Power of Associations Award recipients during its annual Summit Awards Dinner on September 24, 2024, at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC.

This year, six associations received a 2024 Summit Award (ASAE's highest honor for the association community), 25 associations earned Gold Awards and 43 organizations received a Power of A Silver Award recognition.