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Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access


The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is dedicated to promoting health equity and eliminating systemic barriers while advancing the principles of inclusion, diversity, equity and access (IDEA) to improve health outcomes for individuals, communities, providers and organizations.

The Academy recognizes and respects differences in ability, age, creed, culture, education, ethnicity and race, gender, gender identity, geographic region, language, lived experiences, mental health, military experience, national origin, physical appearance, political affiliation, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic characteristics, values, work experiences and all types of diversity in the nutrition and dietetics profession.

Please note: This page includes an extensive collection of stories, resources and updates; however, some of the content pieces are member benefits that require your Academy login to access.

Stories and Spotlights

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Honoring My Multicultural Heritage Through Food

Sports dietitian Roxana Ehsani, MS, RD, CSSD, LDN, was raised in a household with a blend of Iranian and Austrian heritages — an upbringing that encompassed a rich tapestry of cultures. This combined with her experiences of feeling distinct from her peers significantly influences her approach towards her patients.

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On Being the First

Luis Gonzalez, MS, RDN, shares his experience making his way as a Cuban-American dietitian after discovering a lack of diversity in the profession — and he offers suggestions to make it an easier road for others.

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The Importance of Representation

Alabama-based dietitian Andrea Mathis, MA, RDN, LD, shares her journey toward becoming an RDN and explains why we must check our own biases and replace stereotypical thinking with openness and a willingness to learn from others who may look different from us.

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Diversity and Inclusion Resources

IDEA Action Plan

The Academy's Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) Action Plan is a sustainable, living document designed to move the dietetics profession towards an increasingly welcome and inclusive future. The plan's goals and strategies were carefully developed from member and professional feedback gathered from listening sessions, stakeholder communications, and representatives of Academy organizational units and groups, as well as from benchmarking with other healthcare organizations. Tactics and metrics have been developed for each strategy, and outcomes from the initiatives will be measured and the plan modified accordingly over time to ensure continuous positive change.

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Additional Resources

ACEND Resources

Foundation Awards and Scholarships

Member Interest Groups

MIGs are groups of Academy members that reflect the many characteristics of the profession and the public it serves. Academy MIGs include:

Books & Subscriptions

  • Nutrition Care Manual®: Quick Guides for Assessing Food/Nutrition and Culture for Ecuador, India, the Philippines and Saudi Arabia are available with a subscription
  • Cultural Competency for Nutrition Professionals: This online publication provides an overview of 28 cultures and their food practices with the goal of supporting appropriate health care for serving diverse patient populations.

Resources From Other Organizations

Featured Webinars

lactation online learning

Toward More Equitable Human Lactation Science: The BEGIN Project

Webinars

Join this webinar to learn about the Breastmilk Ecology: Genesis of Infant Nutrition: BEGIN Project and the importance of ethical and equitable research in human lactation. Discover how a translational research framework can be applied to address gaps in human milk research and promote safe and effective infant feeding practices.

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Out of the Dark: Shining the Light on Nutritional Challenges of Female Sex Workers and their Children

Out of the Dark: Shining the Light on Nutritional Challenges of Female Sex Workers and their Children

FNCE® 2021 Sessions

The panel discussion will focus on bringing this subject into our professional discourse to explore actionable solutions that will improve access to nutrition and health care, address the impact of developmental origins of disease in this population, identify the social determinants of health that impact the nutritional status of these women and children, and demonstrate how RDNs can influence policy makers at the local and global levels to address this population.

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News and Updates

Join the Academy

Members of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics receive exciting benefits including complimentary continuing professional education opportunities, discounts on events and products in eatrightSTORE.org, invitations to exclusive members-only events and more!