WASHINGTON — MARCH 5, 2026 — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Education convened leaders from 53 of the nation’s top medical schools across 31 states today to announce commitments to require meaningful nutrition training for future doctors beginning in the next academic year.
The president of the American Medical Association Dr. Bobby Mukkumala, the president of the Association of American Medical Colleges Dr. David Skorton, the president of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Dr. Robert Cain, and the president of the University of Nebraska system Dr. Jeffrey Gold joined Secretary Kennedy and Secretary McMahon to celebrate this milestone at HHS.
The medical schools, representing 31 states, will provide at least 40 hours of nutrition education, or implement a 40-hour competency equivalent, for students starting in the fall of 2026. These agreements reflect the Trump Administration’s commitment to support nutritional education and today the medical education community stepped up to address this need.
“Chronic disease is bankrupting our health system, and poor nutrition sits at the center of that crisis,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “Today medical schools are committing to change how America trains its doctors — by putting nutrition back where it belongs: at the heart of patient care.”
“Today’s announcement demonstrates that medical schools can put nutrition and prevention front and center as they train tomorrow’s doctors and healthcare leaders. It’s an honor to celebrate the dozens of medical schools stepping up to strengthen nutrition education — an essential but often overlooked aspect of public health,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. “To make America great again, we must make it healthy — and today’s commitment by leading universities is a critical step down that road.”
“Today, there is real momentum to bring evidence-based nutrition education into medical school and residency training,” said American Medical Association President Bobby Mukkamala, MD. “We applaud the administration for recognizing that if we’re serious about prevention, nutrition must be foundational in medical education. Giving physicians the skills to have impactful conversations with our patients about food and lifestyle is one of the most practical, immediate steps we can take to improve health and prevent disease.”
The Trump administration’s initiative with a large segment of America’s leading medical schools will increase the proportion of nutrition education within their training. A 2022 survey published in the Journal of Wellness found that medical students reported receiving an average of 1.2 hours of formal nutrition education each year. Three-fourths of U.S. medical schools do not require clinical nutrition courses, and only 14% of residency programs require a nutrition curriculum.
HHS will also dedicate $5 million through a multi-phase National Institutes of Health nutrition education challenge to support medical schools, nursing residency, nutrition science, and dietician programs that integrate nutrition education into their curricula. The funding will help institutions develop coursework, clinical training opportunities and research initiatives focused on evidence-based nutrition science.
Beginning this year, Public Health Service officers will be required to complete nutrition-focused continuing education hours as part of their career development. This step underscores HHS’ commitment to ensuring that all health professionals—both future and current—are equipped with the knowledge needed to support healthier communities.
See FACT SHEET for further information, including the participating medical schools.
