STAT News (03/05/26) Todd, Sarah

Fifty-three medical schools across 31 states have agreed to voluntarily strengthen their nutrition-education efforts as part of the Make America Healthy Again initiative, committing to assess their current curricula, appoint a faculty lead and publicly outline plans to reach 40 hours of nutrition instruction by fall 2026. The announcement — backed by leaders from the American Medical Association, Association of American Medical Colleges, and major institutions such as NYU Grossman School of Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, and Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine — reflects a rare point of collaboration between the Trump administration and the medical establishment, even as debates over issues like vaccine policy continue. The effort responds to longstanding gaps: although the National Research Council recommends medical students receive at least 25 hours of nutrition training, fewer than one-third of medical students report receiving that much. Supporters argue that better education is essential for addressing rising rates of obesity and chronic disease, while some experts emphasize the importance of teaching physicians when to refer patients to registered dietitians. While schools retain full control over what they teach — Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s list of 71 suggested topics is not mandatory — the initiative aims to catalyze change through voluntary commitments and public transparency rather than federal requirements.

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