RFK Jr. mandates nutrition education in medical training with looming deadline

The US government will soon require medical education organizations to immediately provide thorough nutrition education and training. The initiative, led by the Health and Human Services (HHS) and Education departments, is part of the Trump Administration’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda, seeking to reduce chronic diseases via diet and public health changes.

The authorities say medical education organizations must submit plans, including the scope, timeline, standards alignment, measurable milestones, and accountability measures of their nutrition education commitments by September 10.

Secretaries Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. (HHS) and Linda McMahon (Education) highlight Association of American Medical Colleges data showing that medical students receive less than two hours of nutrition classes. 

Data shows: “Most schools in the 2023–24 survey (82%) also offered nutrition content in elective or optional curricula, with the same percentage (82%) incorporating nutrition in both required and elective components.” 

“However, less than half (45%) reported that nutrition was included in multiple courses or rotations and only 17% reported that this information was fully integrated across all years or phases of their curriculum.”

Seventy-five percent of US medical schools have no compulsory nutrition classes, and 14% of residency programs have a requirement, according to research from last year. 

Kennedy and McMahon on closing the health gap

The HHS and Education departments urge nutrition education to be integrated into pre-medical standards, medical school curricula, medical licensing examinations, residency requirements, board certification, and continuing education. 

Nutrition Insight previously explored this push, looking at the long gap in medical training and why nutrition education is fundamental.

“Medical schools talk about nutrition but fail to teach it,” says Kennedy. “We demand immediate, measurable reforms to embed nutrition education across every stage of medical training, hold institutions accountable for progress, and equip every future physician with the tools to prevent disease — not just treat it.”

In his opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal, Kennedy says nutrition is at the root of the US health crisis, claiming poor diets cause 500,000 preventable deaths. He blames the medical profession for being reluctant to fill the health gap. “Accrediting bodies and medical organizations look the other way, declining to set clear requirements.”

McMahon adds: “US medical education has not kept up with the overwhelming research on the role of nutrition in preventing and treating chronic diseases.”

“Medical schools across the country must act now to align their training with the latest research so that future physicians have the means to best help their patients stay healthy.  The US Department of Education is proud to stand with HHS in working to lower chronic disease rates, especially in children.”

This comes ahead of the publication of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans as part of the MAHA agenda.

Recently, the leaked draft Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy by the MAHA Commission revealed a greater focus on nutrition and whole foods, better evidence standards for health claims, and more federal support for nutrition-as-medicine programs.