Name: 53 US Medical Schools to Require Nutrition Education in 2026 Under New HHS Initiative
Uploaded: 2026-03-06T11:21:02.000Z
Description: The initiative is expected to affect more than 30,000 graduating physicians a year.

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Leaders from <a href="https://www.hhs.gov/nutrition-education/index.html">53 medical schools</a> in 31 states have committed to requiring expanded nutrition education for medical students starting in fall 2026, <a href="https://www.ntd.com/live-now-kennedy-mcmahon-announce-push-for-nutrition-education-in-medical-schools_1130044.html?utm_source=ref_share&utm_campaign=copy">according</a> to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Education (DOE).

The announcement came March 5 at a gathering of university leaders and medical education organizations hosted by HHS. Under the voluntary commitments, participating schools will require at least 40 hours of nutrition education, or a competency-based equivalent, for students before graduation, <a href="https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/sec-kennedy-sec-mcmahon-celebrate-med-school-commitments-to-increase-nutrition-training-for-future-doctors.html">according</a> to an HHS press release.

The commitments come after years of concern about the lack of nutrition training in medical education. A 2022 Journal of Wellness survey cited by HHS found medical students received an average of 1.2 hours of formal nutrition education a year.

Historically, less than one percent of total lecture hours in U.S. medical schools have been devoted to nutrition education, according to HHS. Additionally, about 75 percent of U.S. medical schools do not require clinical nutrition courses, and only 14 percent of residency programs mandate a nutrition curriculum.

“Chronic disease is bankrupting our health system, and poor nutrition sits at the center of that crisis,” said Robert F. Kennedy Jr., secretary of HHS. “Today medical schools are committing to change how America trains its doctors — by putting nutrition back where it belongs: at the heart of patient care.”

The United States spends $4.4 trillion annually on chronic disease, while about 1 million Americans die each year from food and diet-related illnesses, according to HHS.

“To reverse the chronic disease epidemic, health care professionals must be trained to recognize, diagnose, treat, and prevent diet-related diseases,” <a href="https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/fact-sheet-sec-kennedy-sec-mcmahon-celebrate-med-school-commitments-to-increase-nutrition-training-for-future-doctors.html">states</a> the fact sheet on the HHS-backed program.

Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, president of the American Medical Association, said nutrition education could improve patient health and prevent disease.

“Today, there is real momentum to bring evidence-based nutrition education into medical school and residency training,” Mukkamala said. “Giving physicians the skills to have impactful conversations with our patients about food and lifestyle is one of the most practical, immediate steps we can take to improve health and prevent disease.”

Education Secretary Linda McMahon said the commitments mark a shift toward prevention-focused medical training.

“Today's announcement demonstrates that medical schools can put nutrition and prevention front and center as they train tomorrow's doctors and healthcare leaders,” McMahon said. “It’s an honor to celebrate the dozens of medical schools stepping up to strengthen nutrition education — an essential but often overlooked aspect of public health.”

The initiative is expected to affect more than 30,000 graduating physicians a year. HHS said it will dedicate $5 million through a National Institutes of Health nutrition education challenge to support schools developing coursework, research, and clinical training focused on nutrition science.

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