Key facts
- 19 additional U.S. medical schools pledged to require at least 40 hours of nutrition education.
- The new requirement will take effect for students starting in fall 2026.
- Florida Atlantic University, the University of Maryland, and the University of Massachusetts are among the schools making the pledge.
- The total number of participating medical schools now stands at 73.
- Eight medical accrediting, testing, and board organizations committed to enhancing nutrition training.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that 19 additional medical schools have voluntarily pledged to implement a minimum of 40 hours of nutrition education for their students, effective fall 2026. This initiative aims to enhance the nutritional knowledge of future physicians.
Among the institutions making this commitment are Florida Atlantic University, the University of Maryland, and the University of Massachusetts. These new pledges expand the total number of participating medical schools to 73, building upon an earlier effort from the Trump administration that saw 54 schools join. In addition to the schools' commitments, eight medical accrediting, testing, and board organizations have also agreed to bolster nutrition training across medical education, testing, and residency programs.