18 May BPC Action Applauds House Passage of Bipartisan Resolution on Nutrition Education in Medical Schools  in Health

BPC Action commends the leadership of Reps. James McGovern (D-MA) and Michael Burgess, M.D. (R-TX) for securing passage of their bipartisan resolution calling for medical schools, residency, and fellowship programs to provide nutrition education that demonstrates the connection between diet and disease.  

Obesity and obesity-related chronic diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, constitute some of the most challenging and costly public health threats facing America today. To combat these threats, health care providers must be better equipped to address issues of diet and physical activity with their patients. Doctors, nurses, and other health professionals are uniquely positioned to deliver effective messages and counseling about the importance of these lifestyle factors in achieving and maintaining good health. Today’s health care system, however, often fails to provide practitioners with adequate training and incentives to counsel patients about nutrition and physical activity. 

This resolution directly addresses the lack of nutrition training in medical education and is strongly aligned with BPC’s recommendations from its report: Teaching Nutrition and Physical Activity in Medical School: Training Doctors for Prevention-Oriented Care.  

Improving medical education and training in topics such as nutrition and physical activity have an important role to play in the prevention and treatment of obesity and chronic diseases and are increasingly essential as part of a comprehensive, patient-focused approach to treating some of the most common and consequential health problems affecting the American population today. 

BPC Action applauds Reps. McGovern and Burgess for their leadership and will continue to work to improve the nation’s food and nutrition security.