Adobe

Sarah Todd returned to reporting in January 2025 after being assignment editor at STAT since October 2022. You can reach Sarah on Signal at sarahlizchar.47.

Reflecting the Make America Healthy Again movement’s focus on diet, 53 medical schools across 31 states have agreed to update their approach to nutrition education at the behest of the Trump administration. 

MAHA leaders say the agreements, unveiled at an event on Thursday, showcase their ability to find common ground with the medical establishment in the quest to combat chronic disease even amid major conflicts over issues like vaccine policy.

Agency officials said that each of the schools agreed to three specific actions: 

Advertisement

  • Performing a “comprehensive curriculum assessment” to understand the amount of nutrition education the schools currently offer
  • Nominating a “faculty champion” to advance nutrition education
  • Creating a public landing page with the school’s plan for getting to 40 hours of nutrition education or the equivalent starting in fall 2026

“To be clear, today’s announcement is not the Trump administration dictating medical curriculum,” health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said about  the agreements, some details of which were reported earlier by The New York Times. “Today represents a mutual recognition that HHS and leaders in American medicine can come together to advance shared goals and interests.” 

STAT+ Exclusive Story

STAT+

This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers

Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts.

Already have an account? Log in

Monthly

$39

Totals $468 per year

$39/month Get Started

Totals $468 per year

Starter

$30

for 3 months, then $399/year

$30 for 3 months Get Started

Then $399/year

Annual

$399

Save 15%

$399/year Get Started

Save 15%

11+ Users

Custom

Savings start at 25%!

Request A Quote Request A Quote

Savings start at 25%!

2-10 Users

$300

Annually per user

$300/year Get Started

$300 Annually per user

View All Plans

To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+.

Subscribe