WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) today reintroduced legislation for the third consecutive Congress that would encourage a stronger focus on nutrition and disease prevention in continuing medical education. The Education and Training (EAT) for Health Act directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to issue guidelines that ensure federally employed primary care providers learn more about the role nutrition can play in preventing cancer, diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease. While physicians are already required to earn a set number of continuing medical education credit hours each year, Grijalva’s bill would help ensure that federally employed providers spend a portion of those hours learning about nutrition.

“Quality advice about nutrition and disease prevention can help stop medical problems before they begin,” Rep. Grijalva said. “This bill ensures practitioners have the information needed to help patients avoid diseases and injuries, lower medical costs, and lead longer, healthier lives. By equipping health professionals with this vital knowledge, this bill will help save lives, one preventative conversation at a time.”

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