12.06.22
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched its Agricultural Science Center of Excellence for Nutrition and Diet for Better Health (ASCEND for Better Health) in support of President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot effort “to end cancer as we know it.”
This new virtual center aims to accelerate research on diet-related chronic diseases, including cancer, according to USDA. A long-term goal is to translate research into impactful solutions that improve public health and wellbeing, particularly in underserved communities.
According to the World Cancer Research Fund, 30-50% of all cancer cases are preventable by following a healthy diet and lifestyle. USDA said it’s applying “an equity lens” to research to understand connections between diet and diseases like cancer across different populations.
“ASCEND will bring together scientists, partner organizations, and communities to develop and deliver science-based solutions that improve the health and well-being of all Americans, particularly in underserved communities,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement. “The virtual center will connect existing resources, including people and programs, to leverage expertise and increase coordination and cooperation.”
USDA is enhancing its research focus on “precision nutrition science” to allow for better understanding of needs among underserved communities, the agency noted.
As part of USDA’s announcement, the agency convened a panel of experts that discussed the role nutrition plays in improving overall health and reducing risks for diet-related chronic diseases.
This effort relates to a commitment made in the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health to end hunger and reduce diet-related diseases by 2030.
The National Strategy was released in conjunction with the first White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health in over 50 years, hosted by President Biden in September 2022.
This new virtual center aims to accelerate research on diet-related chronic diseases, including cancer, according to USDA. A long-term goal is to translate research into impactful solutions that improve public health and wellbeing, particularly in underserved communities.
According to the World Cancer Research Fund, 30-50% of all cancer cases are preventable by following a healthy diet and lifestyle. USDA said it’s applying “an equity lens” to research to understand connections between diet and diseases like cancer across different populations.
“ASCEND will bring together scientists, partner organizations, and communities to develop and deliver science-based solutions that improve the health and well-being of all Americans, particularly in underserved communities,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement. “The virtual center will connect existing resources, including people and programs, to leverage expertise and increase coordination and cooperation.”
USDA is enhancing its research focus on “precision nutrition science” to allow for better understanding of needs among underserved communities, the agency noted.
As part of USDA’s announcement, the agency convened a panel of experts that discussed the role nutrition plays in improving overall health and reducing risks for diet-related chronic diseases.
This effort relates to a commitment made in the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health to end hunger and reduce diet-related diseases by 2030.
The National Strategy was released in conjunction with the first White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health in over 50 years, hosted by President Biden in September 2022.
