Secretary RFK Jr. has issued a nationwide mandate requiring all accredited medical schools to submit detailed nutrition education plans by September 10. The initiative aims to correct what he described as a “critical failure” in the training of American physicians, where nutrition is often neglected despite being foundational to health outcomes.
“Medical schools talk about nutrition but fail to teach it… 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,” Kennedy stated.
Currently, fewer than 25% of U.S. medical schools require clinical nutrition coursework, and only 14% of residency programs include structured nutrition training. Kennedy’s push marks the first time in federal history that funding for medical education may be tied directly to dietary instruction standards.
As part of the MAHA initiative, Kennedy has pledged to realign U.S. health policy toward disease prevention through lifestyle changes, clean food, and environmental reforms. The strategy challenges the entrenched pharmaceutical-first model and has drawn criticism from mainstream public health officials, who say the rapid changes could upend decades of clinical education norms.
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon has voiced support for the directive, stating that medical schools must “align training with current science and the real needs of patients.” Schools that fail to comply face the loss of federal research grants, residency funding, and other financial streams critical to their operation.
Kennedy’s allies argue that diet-related diseases—including diabetes, hypertension, and obesity—are largely preventable but remain the leading causes of mortality and healthcare spending. Critics warn that threatening funding sets a dangerous precedent and could undermine academic autonomy.
The American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) has not yet issued a formal response but is expected to challenge the timeline and funding threats. However, several smaller medical programs have already announced plans to overhaul their curricula in anticipation of the federal requirement.
