Academy Highlights Key Policy Priorities in Recommendations for White House Conference

In a letter sent to the Biden-Harris Administration last week regarding the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, the Academy highlighted members' "extensive formal education and training," which enables registered dietitian nutritionists to play a vital role in shaping the public's food choices and improving people's nutritional status to prevent and treat chronic disease."

The Academy urged the White House to "acknowledge the fundamental importance of nutrition by committing to actively pursue, implement and fund policies and programs addressing all social determinants of health — from health care access and quality to education opportunities and from economic stability to the neighborhood and built environment."

The following priority recommendations from the Academy were submitted:

1. Government and non-government entities should fully leverage the training and skills of nutrition and dietetics practitioners in all clinical and community settings.
2. Ensure all Americans have access to quality nutrition care services.
3. Invest in prevention and redesign the food and nutrition experience where Americans go to school, work and play.
4. Fully fund the Dietary Guidelines for Americans process; fund research necessary to inform its recommendations; and provide translation of data and implementation strategies necessary to reach all Americans.
5. Support efforts to strengthen and expand the federal nutrition programs.

The Academy looks forward to working closely with the White House and policymakers to ensure that this bipartisan effort to elevate solutions and commitments to addressing our nation's hunger, nutrition and health crises are successful. Nutrition and dietetics practitioners were key contributors to the first White House Conference and are poised to be active participants again.

Read more about the Academy's recommendations for the development of the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health in this report. An infographic with key takeaways.

For further advocacy efforts on the White House Conference and other Academy priorities, Academy members are encouraged to join the monthly affinity group meetings.