Academy Advances Public Policy Agenda Priorities through Coordinated Advocacy Efforts

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics continues to advance its Public Policy Agenda by joining multiple national coalition sign-on letters urging government officials to support federal funding and priority actions for nutrition and health-related programs in Fiscal Year 2027. These letters reflect the Academy's commitment to prevention-focused, evidence-based strategies that improve population health outcomes.

Specifically, the Academy signed on to two national coalition letters led by Trust for America's Health (TFAH) urging the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to support funding for CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (DNPAO) and CDC's REACH Program (Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health).

The Academy also signed on to coalition letter led by Friends of the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), urging Congress to support robust funding for NCHS' collection, analysis and dissemination of high-quality health data.

In coordination with multiple national organizations, the Academy endorsed the National Alliance for Nutrition and Activity's (NANA) FDA Nutrition Priorities, a framework outlining key policy actions for the Food and Drug Administration related to nutrition, food labeling and consumer protection. The priorities span a broad range of nutrition and public health issues, and endorsement does not imply agreement with every recommendation.

Together, these advocacy actions reinforce the essential role of nutrition and prevention strategies in reducing health care costs and improving health across the lifespan.

The Academy will continue to monitor legislative actions and funding decisions throughout the appropriations process, and will engage with partners and members as additional advocacy opportunities arise.