Dr. Mark Hyman with Dr. Sandi, FMCA Founder and CEO, presented Food Fix: Treating Food as Medicine webinar. Dr. Hyman shared his work surrounding the Food Fix Campaign, which aims to change United States policy around food and food production. Ahead of the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, Dr. Hyman shares how changing policy can help make America healthier from field to fork.
“We need to help each other get healthy.” – Dr. Mark Hyman
One of the most prominent results of poor nutrition is developing a chronic illness. Six in ten American adults suffer from chronic illness. Not only is chronic illness a leading cause of death in America, but it is also a leading cause of healthcare spending. By promoting better nutrition and education, as well as working with experts such as health coaches, food is the medicine that can make Americans healthier.
Food isn’t just making people sick, however. The current food system is also making the planet sick. More than 50% of greenhouse gas emissions can be linked to food production. From deforestation to farming practices to food storage and transportation, the system is a major contributor to global warming. By adopting regenerative agriculture, not only can food production begin to cause less damage, but it can result in more nutrient-rich food.
Making these policy changes is where the Food Fix Campaign comes in.
The US government spends billions of dollars on everything from agriculture to nutrition to healthcare. However, they are working with outdated policies that allow for harmful farming practices, the creation of food apartheid, and the availability of nutrition education. While the Food Fix Campaign has made essential changes in some ways, there is still a long way to go.
“For every $1 spent on food, we spend $3 on collateral damage.”
One way to help change the policies around food and food production in the US is to support campaigns like Food Fix. Showing support for policies by donating to the cause, promoting and attending events, and speaking with your congressperson lets Congress know that people want policies that help make a difference.
Watch the webinar replay for more information about the Food Fix Campaign’s next steps toward policy changes. From addressing issues with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to considering adjusting the American nutrition guide, Dr. Hyman is ready to get to work on fixing America’s broken food system.
To learn more about food as medicine and how Functional Medicine health coaching can help others live healthier lives, check out our FMCA starter kit.
