Introduction
The American Heart Association recently released a policy statement emphasizing the importance of nutrition security for all people and calling for systemic changes to address this critical public health issue. Nutrition security exists when all people at all times have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious foods that meet their dietary needs for an active and healthy life. However, far too many Americans face challenges in accessing and affording healthy foods.
Key Factors Impacting Nutrition Security
The policy statement outlines several interrelated factors that impact nutrition security:
- Food affordability – Healthy diets can be cost prohibitive for many households.
- Food accessibility – Many communities lack grocery stores or other outlets selling healthy, affordable food options.
- Housing instability – People experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity face substantial barriers in storing, preparing and accessing nutritious foods.
- Healthcare access – Lack of access to preventative healthcare services exacerbates diet-related diseases.
Disproportionate Impacts
These challenges disproportionately impact communities of color, rural areas, tribal lands, people with disabilities, older adults, children, pregnant women, and other vulnerable populations. Discriminatory policies and practices are root causes behind many nutrition security issues.
AHA Policy Recommendations
To strengthen nutrition security, the American Heart Association advocates for:
- Increasing enrollment in federal nutrition assistance programs
- Expanding access to free and subsidized school meals
- Incentivizing grocery stores and farmers markets to open in underserved areas through grants and tax credits
- Making nutrition counseling eligible for insurance reimbursement
- Investing in transportation improvements to help people access healthy food outlets
The Role of Public Health
The Association calls upon public health professionals to assess nutrition security issues in their communities and develop action plans. They encourage partnering across sectors to implement evidence-based policies and programs to address gaps.
FAQ
What is nutrition security?
Nutrition security exists when all people at all times have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious foods that meet their dietary needs for an active and healthy life.
What factors impact nutrition security?
Key factors include food affordability, food accessibility, housing instability, and healthcare access.
Who is disproportionately impacted?
Communities of color, rural areas, tribal lands, people with disabilities, older adults, children, pregnant women and other vulnerable populations are disproportionately impacted.
What policies does AHA recommend?
They advocate for increasing enrollment in federal food assistance programs, expanding school meal access, incentivizing food outlets in underserved areas, covering nutrition counseling, and investing in transportation improvements.
What is public health’s role?
Public health professionals should assess nutrition security gaps locally and develop action plans to implement evidence-based policies and programs to address them.
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