Introduction of the Enhancing Nutrition in Medical Education Act of 2004

INTRODUCTION OF THE ENHANCING NUTRITION IN MEDICAL EDUCATION ACT OF 2004 -- (Extensions of Remarks - October 11, 2004)

Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, the importance of nutrition in attaining and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is well known. Today, as countless reports and articles call attention to the obesity epidemic in our country, it is more important than ever that we focus on preventive health measures including good nutrition habits. Nutrition plays a significant role in the onset and progression of six of the ten leading causes of death. Nutrition intervention also decreases morbidity, mortality, human suffering, and medical costs.

That is why in 1990 Congress mandated that our Nation's medical schools integrate nutrition education into their curricula. Today, however--14 years later-many physicians and medical students are still requesting more training and education in nutrition. I believe now is the time to take action to provide additional resources for medical schools throughout the country to address the known desire and demonstrated need for increased training and education in nutrition.

To that end, I rise today to introduce the Enhancing Nutrition in Medical Education Act of 2004. This legislation authorizes a grant program for which all U.S. allopathic medical schools would be eligible to apply, to assist them in developing, implementing, and integrating innovative nutrition components into their existing medical education curriculum. To name a few of the requirements, the grants will focus on preventive health measures such as education on the causes, treatment, and prevention of obesity; prevention and treatment of common nutritional deficiencies; and office education and counseling to ensure appropriate diet for mostly healthy people. The grants awarded will be in the amount of $50,000 for any fiscal year, or a total of $100,000 for the 2-year duration of the grant.

Also, schools awarded grants will be required to submit a report to the Secretary of HHS describing the nutrition curricula they developed, along with results achieved through its implementation. The Secretary will in turn be responsible for disseminating a report to all medical schools nationwide comprised of nutrition curriculum descriptions developed by the grantees. The reporting requirement will ensure that medical schools who either chose not to apply for the grants or who were not awarded grants still receive information and models on nutrition curricula they can incorporate into their own.

In 2003 a survey was conducted of all accredited medical and osteopathic colleges in the U.S. to determine the present state of nutrition training in medical school curricula. This study showed positive trends, but with much room to grow. The study found that a nutrition course was required in forty percent of the medical and osteopathic programs, an elective course in 13 percent, and 24 percent of the schools integrated the subject in other courses. Approximately 23 percent lacked nutrition of any type. Schools that required nutrition showed a mean number of 2.5 credit hours, and it was rare for medical programs to require more than one nutrition course or for the course to exceed three credit hours.

Mr. Speaker, a similar survey conducted in 1997-1998 showed that 26 percent of medical school programs required nutrition courses. The slight increase in programs requiring nutrition courses is certainly a positive trend, but considering the alarming rates of obesity, diabetes, and other negative health affects associated with poor nutrition, we must do more.

The Enhancing Nutrition in Medical Education Act provides no new mandates to medical schools, but simply allows them the opportunity to access additional funds to enhance and increase nutrition education in their curriculum. I would like to thank the people at the American Dietetic Association and the Association of American Medical Colleges, as well as the many others who have helped me in developing this legislation. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.