Clemson Rural Health increases access to nutrition services

Clemson Rural Health introduces a new pricing structure for appointments with registered dietitians to improve access to nutrition services in rural and underserved communities.

Clemson Rural Health (CRH) works every day to transform health outcomes in rural and underserved communities, many of which have little to no access to registered dietitians. For those living with — or at high risk of — chronic disease, access to a registered dietitian can help improve health markers like hemoglobin A1c.

In support of the College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences’ food and nutrition security efforts, CRH has announced new pricing structures to reduce socioeconomic barriers to services. Historically, most insured and uninsured patients in South Carolina have paid out-of-pocket for appointments with a registered dietitian. The new pricing structure guarantees that no matter a patient’s insurance status or coverage, the out-of-pocket cost will not exceed $49 for a 30-minute appointment.

“Access to nutrition counseling is critical in our work to improve health outcomes around the state,” said Ron Gimbel, Clemson professor and director of CRH. “We have worked with a wide variety of collaborators to mitigate food insecurity, transportation and language barriers to nutrition services, and today we are excited to announce our latest strategy for creating affordable opportunities for rural and underserved communities.”

Along with this pricing structure change, CRH also announced a brand-new benefit exclusively for Clemson employees. For only $196, employees can schedule four appointments with a registered dietitian covering nutritional topics of interest to the employee including, but not limited to, healthy eating on-the-go, healthy shopping on a budget and eating for heart health.

Appointments with a dietitian are available at the Joseph F. Sullivan Center, Clemson Health Clinic at Walhalla, Clemson Health Clinic at Orangeburg and Clemson Rural Health Support Office at Abbeville. Call 864-656-3076 to learn more or schedule your first appointment.

About Clemson Rural Health 

Clemson Rural Health is a part of the College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences, a 21st-century land-grant college joining together a unique combination of schools and departments: communication, nursing, parks, recreation and tourism management, political science, psychology, public health sciences and sociology, anthropology and criminal justice. These areas have distinctive characteristics and missions – all joined together by a common thread of service to people and communities. For more information, visit ClemsonRuralHealth.org.