According to the County Health Rankings and Roadmaps for Kentucky, Kenton County had 324 drug overdose deaths from 2015-2017.  Due to the large number of people suffering from substance use disorders in the area, the Mary Gandy Travis Residential Treatment Center (RTC) opened its doors in December of 2018, in Erlanger, Kentucky.  RTC is a 180-bed, short-term residential treatment center for men and women, where clients receive individual, group, and family education and therapy as well as participate in other recovery based activities to encourage a life of recovery, health, and wellness.

The Clinical Supervisor for RTC contacted the Kenton County Nutrition Education Program Assistant (NEP) from the Cooperative Extension Service about conducting a nutrition/cooking class for the women in recovery since nutrition is often neglected when people are suffering from substance use disorders. The NEP Assistant went to RTC weekly and taught the Healthy Choices for Every Body seven-lesson series.  She taught the women about eating healthy; making better food choices on a budget; purchasing, preparing, and storing food safely; planning meals; eating a healthy breakfast, and adding physical activity to their day to improve health. The NEP Assistant led the participants in preparing a healthy recipe, and they got to sample what they had prepared.   She also gave the participants reinforcements such as cutting mats, mixing bowls, meat thermometers and colanders, which will help them to cook healthy meals at home after they leave the treatment center. The favorite item of many of the participants was a book filled with recipes prepared during class along with many other simple, budget-friendly healthy recipes. One participant said, “I appreciate this so much.  Nobody ever taught me how to cook.  Thank you.”   

In addition to receiving treatment for their substance use disorders, the women were improving their physical health—one recipe at a time.  According to data from the 34 participants who completed the series and reported to the National reporting system, 91% showed improvement in one or more areas of their diet (eating more fruits and vegetables or drinking less soda); 79% of participants showed improvement in their physical activity; and 62% showed improvement in their food safety practices. 

Food Safety was a component of the sessions in this series.  Thirty-four people participated in these sessions and 21 reported learning a new food safety technique. According to data from a University of Kentucky Food and Nutrition Specialist, every person who receives education regarding some aspect of food borne illness prevention, saves their state an estimated $1,000.  Potential savings to Kentucky citizens, businesses, and government due to the food safety education included in this Healthy Choices for Every Body series is $21,000.The program was suspended at the outbreak of the pandemic. Smaller classes resumed in August 2020, and plans are being made to offer the series in the men’s unit of RTC.