Reform - from American Dietetic Association

Statement by Registered Dietitian and American Dietetic Association President Jessie M. Pavlinac on Health Reform and Conservation of Natural Resources

FOR RELEASE JULY 9, 2009

Media Contact: Jennifer Starkey800/877-1600, ext.4802media@eatright.org

CHICAGO – In these amazing times, with real reform of the nation’s health-care system a clear possibility, opportunities are endless for registered dietitians in keeping the public we serve healthy.

One of the American Dietetic Association’s key tenets is that every American has a fundamental right to the best quality of health care available, and that this right includes access to healthy food from a sustainable food supply. ADA takes this stance seriously and it forms the basis of much of our policy work. ADA has been continuously active in the health reform debates in Congress and throughout our country, delivering the message that nutrition is the foundation of health and the cornerstone of prevention.

The American Dietetic Association is focusing new attention on nutrition by addressing topics at the cutting edge of the field, including nutrigenomics, obesity prevention, and issues of food systems and sustainability. ADA believes strongly it can achieve the vision of a healthier nation by ensuring its registered dietitians are well trained and actively working in these areas.
In addition, ADA’s position paper, Food and Nutrition Professionals Can Implement Practices to Conserve Natural Resources and Support Ecological Sustainability, strongly encourages environmentally responsible practices that conserve natural resources, minimize the quantity of waste generated, and support the ecological sustainability of the food system-the process of food production, transformation, distribution, access and consumption.

While the American Dietetic Association welcomes the involvement of other health associations in this area, it is not a new arena for ADA. As Congress debated and designed current food and agricultural policies, ADA endorsed changes which would benefit Americans and people worldwide. ADA has supported new approaches in the development, production and marketing of food that better satisfies and sustains human health, addresses hunger and malnutrition, and seeks to improve food safety, environmental quality, and resource conservation and protection.
In addition, the American Dietetic Association is a champion for food, nutrition and agricultural research. As a nation, we need to invest now in federal research so that we have knowledge and solutions to keep people and our planet healthy. ADA advocates for U.S. food and agricultural policies to ensure a sustainable food supply that is safe, nutritious, affordable and better suited for the health of Americans and the planet.

The nation’s natural resource base should remain viable for use and capable of meeting peoples’ food and water needs far into the future. To make tangible progress, ADA supports stronger, more effective food assistance programs, additional food and agricultural research, reforms in food safety and inspection, investment in public nutrition information and education, and the removal of farm program barriers to better diets.

The American Dietetic Association is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. ADA is committed to improving the nation’s health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy. Visit the American Dietetic Association at http://www.eatright.org/.

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