NACDS, ADA join to provide nutrition education to prevent chronic diseases
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores is teaming up with the American Diabetes Association during the ADA's Tour de Cure cycling event and Step Out Walk to Stop Diabetes walking event to provide critical nutrition education to the event participants. Running through the end of 2024, the cycling and walking events will feature #NourishMyHealth, a campaign designed to educate Americans on the protective health benefits of nutritious food in reducing the risk of conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
Nourish My Health—a collaboration between the NACDS and the ADA, along with other leading health partners —was developed in response to the 2022 White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. That conference was the basis for the national strategy to end hunger, improve nutrition and reduce disease. Nourish My Health encourages baseline health screening to understand disease risks, offers healthy food guides and nutrition information, hosts resources for professionals and features a nutrition security survey which informs meaningful access solutions.
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"NACDS is proud to work alongside the ADA to highlight the critical role that nutritious food plays in preventing and managing chronic diseases, including diabetes," said Steve Anderson, president and CEO of NACDS. "With Nourish My Health reaching millions of Americans, we hope to amplify the importance of preventive screenings and raise awareness of the power of nutritious food as a part of lifestyle changes to improve health outcomes."
Poor nutrition is the number one cause of poor health outcomes in the United States, with billions of dollars spent annually on preventable nutrition-related diseases.
"It's crucial to educate and get the word out about the food as medicine movement,” said Barbara Eichorst, vice president of health care programs at the ADA. "We look forward to continuing to provide resources and knowledge—helping individuals take proactive steps toward better health by lowering the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and helping those living with diabetes to better manage the condition."
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The ADA events are scheduled for California, Florida, Indiana, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington, D.C. For details about how to get involved in one of the ADA events, visit diabetes.org/events. For more information about the #NourishMyHealth campaign and programming, please visit NourishMyHealth.org.