Advocacy & Science Policy
Advocacy and Science Policy
AACN serves as the authoritative voice informing Congress and the Administration of the need and value for continued support of nutrition research through federal government advocacy.
AACN educates policymakers on advances in nutrition science and the importance of developing legislation and regulations that are based in science.
The Society’s members, working throughout academia, industry, clinical practice and government, conduct research that allows individuals to live healthier and more productive lives.
2024-2026 AACN Advocacy and Science Policy Priority Areas
Every two years the American Society for Nutrition (AACN)’s Committee on Advocacy and Science Policy (CASP) reevaluates its priority areas for the upcoming two years. This list is primarily used to highlight key focus areas that will inform the ongoing and upcoming work of CASP and AACN’s Chief Science Policy Officer.
Priority Area 1: Nutrition Research
- Advocate for increased federal investment in the agencies that most support nutrition research, specifically the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Institutes of Health.
- Educate Congress and policy leaders about the benefits of nutrition research, nutrition surveillance and monitoring, and their impact on public health.
- Foster and strengthen relationships with members of Congress and their staff to advance advocacy opportunities.
- Utilize AACN’s coalition involvement to strengthen and further our advocacy.
- Determine annual appropriations requests for these agencies to support advocacy efforts.
- Support nutrition research and nutrition initiatives at federal agencies.
- Elevate existing and future nutrition research and nutrition initiatives at federal agencies. Offer AACN input on these whenever possible.
- Advocate for coordination of nutrition research across the federal government.
- Foster and strengthen relationships with federal agency nutrition staff to advance advocacy opportunities and support their efforts and initiatives.
- Pursue development of an AACN Information Brief on nutrition research coordination and support beginning in 2024, guided by the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) recommendations for Advancing Nutrition.
Priority Area 2: National Nutrition Policies
- Advocate for ongoing investment in national policy documents and tools that support nutrition research, as guided by AACN Information Brief topics:
- Advocate for funding for regular updates to the Dietary Reference Intakes,
- Seek continual funding for the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and
- Advocate for the revitalization of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).
- Advocate for other growing nutrition research priorities; for example, those dictated by the 2025 DGAC report and PCAST’s Advancing Nutrition recommendations.
- As appropriate for federal activities, provide comments and testimony to support evidence-based food and nutrition policies, guidelines, and programs.
Priority Area 3: Education, Networking and Partnerships
- Continue to foster and strengthen relationships with coalitions, alliances, and allied organizations to support AACN’s policy priorities.
- Nominate AACN members to federal advisory boards.
- Organize webinars and other programs to inform AACN members about nutrition science policy and current related issues.
- Increase AACN member involvement in AACN’s advocacy efforts.
- Develop a webinar in 2024 that showcases AACN’s Information Briefs and other advocacy resources available to members, providing guidance on how to effectively communicate with Congressional offices using these resources.
- Develop a webinar in 2024 to provide training for AACN members on utilizing NHANES data and tools for nutrition research.