Statement by Registered Dietitian and American Dietetic Association President Jessie M. Pavlinac on Health Reform and Conservation of Natural...( CHICAGO July 9 -- In these amazing t...),Health

CHICAGO, July 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In these amazing times, with real reform of the nation's health-care system a clear possibility, opportunities are endless for registered dietitians in keeping the public we serve healthy.

One of American Dietetic Association's key tenets is that every American has a fundamental right to the best quality of health care available, and that this right includes access to healthy food from a sustainable food supply. ADA takes this stance seriously and it forms the basis of much of our policy work. ADA has been continuously active in the health reform debates in Congress and throughout our country, delivering the message that nutrition is the foundation of health and the cornerstone of prevention.

The American Dietetic Association is focusing new attention on nutrition by addressing topics at the cutting edge of the field, including nutrigenomics, obesity prevention, and issues of food systems and sustainability. ADA believes strongly it can achieve the vision of a healthier nation by ensuring its registered dietitians are well trained and actively working in these areas.

In addition, ADA's position paper, Food and Nutrition Professionals Can Implement Practices to Conserve Natural Resources and Support Ecological Sustainability, strongly encourages environmentally responsible practices that conserve natural resources, minimize the quantity of waste generated, and support the ecological sustainability of the food system-the process of food production, transformation, distribution, access and consumption.

While the American Dietetic Association welcomes the involvement of other health associations in this area, it is not a new arena for ADA. As Congress debated and designed current food and agricultural policies, ADA endorsed changes whic
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