For decades, physicians have complained that nutrition education in medical school is woefully lacking. While recent data suggests that all medical schools now claim to cover some nutrition content, many medical students still report receiving less than two hours across all four years of medical school. That model may have served us in the 1960s when the AMA first identified the need for more nutrition education, but poor nutrition is now estimated to cost the United States more $1.1 trillion in health care spending annually.
This explosion in spending, paired with a shift in patient and consumer demand, has led many medical professionals to increase their calls for a change. And thanks to the efforts of the Trump Administration, that change is happening.
At the same time as chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and obesity continue to rise to epidemic levels, the lack of nutrition training for physicians and other health professionals has become increasingly difficult to ignore.
Under the leadership of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has launched the “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, which places greater emphasis on nutrition, lifestyle, and disease prevention. A central goal of the initiative is to improve nutrition education for health professionals and provide physicians with better tools to help patients make healthier choices.
One of the initiative’s major priorities is encouraging medical schools to strengthen nutrition education in physician training. The goal is straightforward: doctors who better understand nutrition and metabolic health are better equipped to help patients prevent and manage chronic disease. Stronger training will also help physicians make more informed referrals to dietitians and nutritionists, the professionals best equipped to help Americans create lasting lifestyle changes.
More than 50 medical schools across over 30 states have committed to requiring at least 40 hours of nutrition education, or an equivalent competency standard, beginning this fall. Additional schools are expected to join in the coming months.
The administration has also worked with organizations involved in medical education, licensure, training, and certification to expand the role of nutrition in professional standards and continuing education requirements.
At the federal level, Secretary Kennedy has directed the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to take steps to incorporate nutrition more directly into patient care. These efforts include implementing recommendations from the HHS MAHA report, such as developing new billing codes for nutrition and exercise screenings, promoting healthy hospital food initiatives, and creating demonstration models that test preventive interventions focused on nutrition and lifestyle changes.
States are also beginning to act. Last week, Secretary Kennedy joined Governor Kim Reynolds for the signing of Iowa’s MAHA legislation. Among its many provisions, the law requires medical students to complete coursework in nutrition and metabolic health before graduation and requires practicing physicians to complete continuing education in those areas to maintain licensure. The legislation also updates K–12 health curriculum standards to include nutrition, physical fitness, and personal health education.
Iowa’s legislation follows similar efforts in Texas and Louisiana enacted in 2025 to expand nutrition education for both health professionals and students.
The administration has also emphasized updated federal dietary guidance that encourages greater consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins while discouraging excessive intake of added sugars and ultra-processed foods. Supporters argue that clearer nutrition guidance can help health professionals better address preventable chronic illness, and medical schools can incorporate these updated guidelines into their core curricula.
The broader debate surrounding nutrition policy has also influenced state SNAP policies. Over the last year, multiple states have pursued waivers to restrict the use of SNAP benefits for sugary beverages and candy. These efforts have been supported by Secretary Kennedy, Brooke Rollins at the United States Department of Agriculture, and the Trump White House.
Congress has also begun engaging more actively on the issue. Last month, the House Energy and Commerce Committee held a hearing on draft legislation titled the “Nutrition Education and Chronic Disease Prevention in Community Health Centers Act of 2026.” The proposal would support nutrition education and chronic disease prevention services in community health centers that collectively serve millions of Americans each year.
Taken together, these efforts reflect a broader shift in American health policy toward prevention rather than treatment alone. They also demonstrate growing public awareness of the strong connection between food and health. Nutrition is not a cure-all, but improving nutrition education among health professionals is an important part of addressing the nation’s chronic disease burden.
Physicians and other health professionals remain among the most trusted voices in health care. Patients rely on doctors, nurses, and other providers for accurate information and guidance about chronic disease prevention and treatment. Strengthening education in nutrition and metabolic health will better equip these professionals to help patients make informed decisions long before chronic disease develops.
Secretary Kennedy’s message is clear: Nutrition shapes health and medical education should shape how health professionals understand nutrition. Over time, these efforts will improve health outcomes, reduce preventable illness, and help build a healthier nation.
The writer is the Assistant Secretary of Legislation at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
