In the United States, the accessibility and affordability of nutritious food are major concerns for consumers. A recent national poll conducted by Zogby Analytics on behalf of Research!America and the American Heart Association revealed that 68% of respondents recognize healthy eating habits as crucial for a long and healthy life. However, more than half (53%) believe that the country is not making enough progress to make nutritious food more accessible and affordable.
The findings of the poll are part of an expert analysis on U.S. health and the future of food, highlighting significant challenges to improving nutrition security. Released by Deloitte, the American Heart Association, and Research!America, the report outlines the urgent need to integrate nutritious food into healthcare for the prevention, treatment, and care of cardiovascular disease and other chronic conditions.
These results were announced at The Drake Hotel in Chicago, marking the 100-year anniversary of the American Heart Association, a leading organization dedicated to heart and brain health.
Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association, emphasized the need to address the concerning trends in cardiovascular disease and obesity. Despite significant progress in reducing death rates from heart disease, the projections for the future are unsettling.
According to projections in the Association’s journal, Circulation, obesity is expected to drive a sharp increase in cardiovascular disease by 2050. The rates of obesity in adults and children are projected to rise significantly, leading to a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease.
The poll also revealed that 94% of respondents consider obesity to be a serious concern, reflecting the public’s perception of health in the U.S. Many respondents expressed a desire to eat a healthier diet but faced barriers such as the cost of healthy food, stress eating, lack of preparation time, and a lack of knowledge about healthy food choices.
Different demographic groups highlighted unique challenges, with Asian American and Hispanic respondents citing the cost of healthy food as a major barrier, while black respondents mentioned gaps in knowledge and difficulty accessing stores with nutrient-dense foods.
The report on U.S. health and the future of food points to food and nutrition insecurity, the prevalence of ultra-processed foods, and the lack of resilient food systems as key factors contributing to poor diets. Approximately 1 in 7 Americans faced food insecurity in 2022, with higher rates in rural and southern counties.
The report emphasizes the need for stakeholders to drive innovations that promote healthier food choices and improve diet quality. It calls for collaborative efforts among healthcare professionals, policymakers, and food industries to address the challenges surrounding food and nutrition insecurity.
The American Heart Association’s Health Care by Food™ initiative is leading the way in integrating cost-effective food as medicine approaches into the healthcare system. This initiative includes research, advocacy, and education to demonstrate the effectiveness of healthy food interventions in improving health outcomes.
Collaboration with the Periodic Table of Food Initiative is helping to enhance understanding of the components of specific foods and their role in human health. By building a comprehensive database of the global food supply, this initiative aims to inform dietary recommendations and agricultural practices for better human and planetary health.
To prevent the projected increases in cardiovascular disease incidence and cost, innovative solutions are essential. The American Heart Association is launching a new registry to study individuals living with overweight and obesity, with the goal of improving understanding and treatment of these conditions.
Overall, collaborative efforts across public and private entities are crucial to advancing health and nutrition approaches that will shape the future of public health. Join us in the fight to ensure that every individual has access to nutritious food for better health.
