Progress to Implement the National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health at the US Department of Agriculture

Abstract

Poor nutrition is the leading cause of chronic illness, which 6 of every 10 adults in the United States face. Caring for these conditions necessitates ongoing, expensive medical care, with 85% to 90% of healthcare costs attributable to chronic diseases. Recognizing this nutrition crisis, the Biden-Harris Administration hosted a historic White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health that took place in September 2022. This conference was the first of its kind in more than 50 years and developed an agenda around a bold goal to end hunger and increase healthy eating and physical activity by 2030. The day before the 2022 conference, the Biden-Harris Administration released a National Strategy with actions the federal government would take across 5 pillars in addition to a fact sheet detailing more than $8 billion in new commitments from nongovernmental entities. Across the 5 pillars, this article summarizes the US Department of Agriculture accomplishments during the first 2 years of implementation and concludes with ways nutrition professionals can help accelerate progress.