WASHINGTON
DC [9/21/2022] – Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Congressman John
Katko (R-NY), and Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) introduced a resolution to
designate the week of September 19, 2022, as Malnutrition Awareness Week. The
resolution recognizes the importance of federal nutrition programs in
combatting malnutrition and hunger.
“No
one in our country should go hungry, but millions of Americans are struggling
with malnutrition and hunger,” said Congresswoman Bonamici. “Too often
the most vulnerable members of our communities are stuck in a cycle of poverty
and nutritional disparities. Over the years programs like the Older Americans
Act (OAA), Meals on Wheels, SNAP, and school nutrition programs have helped feed
those who need assistance accessing healthy foods. Unfortunately, malnutrition
and food insecurity still affect many, especially seniors; Black, Indigenous,
and people of color; and low-income children and families. This Malnutrition
Awareness Week, we reaffirm our commitment to ending hunger so everyone has
access to the nutrition they need to succeed.”
“I am proud
to join my colleagues in recognizing Malnutrition Awareness Week,” said
Congressman Katko. “According to the Department of Agriculture, in 2021,
33.8 million Americans lived in households that were considered food-insecure.
With far too many families still struggling with food insecurity due to the
lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is increasingly important that we
raise awareness surrounding malnutrition and address its root causes.
Throughout my time in Congress, I have worked to support crucial federal
nutrition programs that thousands of Central New Yorkers rely on, such as SNAP
and Meals on Wheels, and I am glad to join Representative Bonamici in this
bipartisan effort to call for further action to combat food insecurity.”
“Malnutrition
has serious implications for health outcomes, and it’s an issue that
disproportionately impacts communities of color and the most vulnerable among
us – seniors and kids,” said Senator Murphy. “Increasing access to
healthy, affordable food through federal nutrition programs is critical to
reducing malnutrition and improving quality of life. I’m proud to introduce this
resolution to bring awareness to this serious problem and highlight those
working to address it.”
Federal
nutrition programs are critical to the health and well-being of children and
older adults. According to 2020 data, as many as half of older adults living in
the United States are malnourished or at risk for malnutrition. OAA nutrition
programs provide home-delivered and congregate meal programs for older adults,
and continue
to significantly help seniors access nutritious meals. The
resolution also recognizes the need for additional research at the National
Institutes of Health and screening by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services to better understand how malnutrition is affecting Americans.
“Almost
half of all older adults are at risk of becoming or are already malnourished.
This widespread and too often hidden problem not only carries a high personal
cost for the millions who struggle but also an economic one that is estimated
to cost our country $51 billion annually,” said Ellie Hollander, President
and CEO, Meals on Wheels America. “We commend Congresswoman Bonamici and
Congressman Katko for their bipartisan leadership in spotlighting this growing
issue and how greater investments in the Older Americans Act Nutrition Program
is a key part of the solution to ensure that malnourished and hungry seniors
get the nutritious meals they need at home or in group dining centers.”
“I would like
to thank Congresswomen Bonamici for recognizing Malnutrition Awareness Week,” said
Ryan T. Hurt, MD, PhD, President of the American Society for Parenteral and
Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN). “Malnutrition Awareness Week is our annual
campaign to raise awareness of malnutrition and to educate healthcare
professionals and consumers on intervention and treatment. It was created in
2012 when ASPEN recognized the need for more nutrition education. This year, we
are excited to celebrate our 10-year anniversary. This resolution is important
and helps further the goal of raising awareness of this critical issue.
“The Defeat
Malnutrition Today coalition strongly endorses the House resolution in support
of Malnutrition Awareness Week and commends Reps. Bonamici and Katko for
sponsoring the resolution” said Bob Blancato, National Coordinator of the
Defeat Malnutrition Today coalition. This resolution is very timely in
light of a first-ever decision by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services to include a composite malnutrition quality measure in its inpatient
hospital rule. This resolution also immediately precedes the September 28, 2022
White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health, where preventing
malnutrition will be seen as key to the White House’s goal to improve nutrition
by 2030.”
This
resolution is endorsed by the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral
Nutrition (ASPEN), Meals on Wheels America, and Defeat Malnutrition Today,
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, LeadingAge, American Heart Association,
American Academy of Pediatrics, National Association of Nutrition and Aging
Services Programs, National Council on Aging, and USAging.
The text of
the resolution can be viewed here.
Contact:
Natalie Crofts, 202-754-1649