Advancing Nutrition Education
Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University Joins National HHS Nutrition Education Initiative
The Medical College of Georgia (MCG) at Augusta University is the first school of medicine in Georgia to announce a commitment to the national initiative led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to strengthen nutrition education in medical training.
The commitment positions the state's only public medical school at the forefront of a transformative movement in medical education. MCG's participation builds upon the institution's longstanding commitment to life-saving and life-changing education. As the 13th-oldest medical school in the United States, MCG has a rich history of innovation in medical education and has been serving Georgians since 1828.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon recently introduced this initiative to encourage medical schools across the nation to enhance nutrition instruction in response to the growing burden of diet-related chronic diseases. MCG joins more than 50 prestigious medical schools representing 31 states in this historic effort, which is also supported by the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC).
MCG has committed to implementing either a minimum of 40 hours of required nutrition education across all four years of medical school, or a competency-based equivalent aligned with the HHS Medical Education Nutrition Competency Framework. This commitment will take effect beginning in the Fall 2026 academic year.
The purpose of this initiative is to address a critical gap in medical education and is also part of the broader "Make America Healthy Again" movement, which seeks to address the root causes of chronic disease through improved nutrition, lifestyle interventions, and preventive care.
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Curriculum
MCG's enhanced nutrition curriculum will integrate comprehensive training throughout all four years of medical education, incorporating foundational science courses, organ-system modules, and clinical training.
Students will examine the role of nutrition in conditions such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension, while also learning to address micronutrient deficiencies, malnutrition, and the social determinants of health that impact dietary behaviors.
The curriculum will emphasize practical counseling skills, enabling future physicians to assess dietary habits, create patient-centered care plans, and collaborate effectively with dietitians and other health professionals. During clinical rotations, students will apply nutrition principles in primary and specialty care settings, gaining hands-on experience in supporting lifestyle modification and long-term disease management.
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The Advancing Nutrition Education Across the Medical Continuum initiative highlights America’s leading medical education institutions that are implementing comprehensive nutrition education and training.
Diet-related chronic diseases are now responsible for nearly 60 percent of U.S. deaths, and an estimated one million Americans die from diet-related chronic diseases each year. Despite overwhelming evidence that nutrition is one of the most powerful tools for disease prevention, the vast majority of physicians say they feel unprepared to discuss nutrition with their patients.
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The Medical College of Georgia's participation in this national initiative underscores its commitment to transformative medical education and its role as a leader in addressing the healthcare needs of Georgia and the nation. By equipping future physicians with the knowledge and skills to effectively address nutrition and diet-related disease, MCG is helping to build a healthier future for all Georgians.
