Educating more doctors in nutrition science could trigger a seismic change for the better in U.S. health care.
By Jim McGovern, David Eisenberg and Emily Broad Leib Originally published in US News on Oct. 30.
When Americans go to the doctor for a routine visit, the powerful impact of food on their health deserves more attention.
We live in a country burdened by high rates of diet-related chronic illnesses: obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, cancers and more. Yet believe it or not, doctors in the U.S. typically don’t get rigorous, evidence-based training in nutrition science. They are not adequately trained to advise patients about nutrition or to provide them with practical advice about food choices at the grocery store, in restaurants or while cooking.
That’s scandalous, especially in a nation where our unhealthy relationship with food creates enormous social and economic costs.
Now for the good news: America is poised to resolve this long-standing void in medical education.
Two years ago, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bipartisan resolution authored by Rep. Jim McGovern of Massachusetts that calls for meaningful nutrition education in medical schools, residencies and fellowship programs. Congress already allocates over $16 billion annually in federal funding for physician training. With the measure’s passage, lawmakers made it clear this training should include comprehensive education about the role of nutrition in health.
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