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Sun, 21 Jun 2009

Hallelujah! The AMA Has Connected The Dots Between Sustainable Food Systems and Health

The AMA's Council On Science and The Public Health Report On Sustainable Food: This remarkable report is like an Earth Save article, only longer and harder to read. Some hardy souls will want to read the whole CSAPH report (hint: starts on Pg. 48). For the rest of us I've extracted a few stunning paragraphs, and translated them into English.

"This report expands on the topic (of sustainable food) to address how medical schools, hospitals, and other health care facilities can model and encourage healthy eating in a manner that supports environmentally sustainable agricultural and food system practices, which in turn may provide additional social, economic, and health benefits to their surrounding communities and beyond."

Translation: The unsustainable American medical system is now expected to be a model for healthy eating. Hospitals will turn their lawns into organic gardens, and serve healthy food to their patients. Doctors will learn about nutrition, and start telling people to eat vegetables instead of red meat!

"The current US food system is highly industrialized, focusing on the production of animal products and federally subsidized commodity crops, such as corn and soybeans. This has resulted in a highly processed, calorie-dense food supply, instead of one rich in a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, as recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The poor quality diets supported by this system contribute to four of the six leading causes of death in the United States: heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and some cancers. Individuals of lower socio-economic standing are more likely to consume these subsidized, highly processed foods, and are likewise at increased risk of related adverse health outcomes."

Translation: Let me see if I've got this straight. The government tells us to eat lots of fruits, veggies and whole grains. But it rewards farmers for growing crops which support the most unhealthy possible diet for most people. The result is that most of us are very sick, which in turn supports the medical establishment. Why would the AMA want to turn that system on it's ear?

"Beyond the issue of poor nutritional quality are methods of food production and distribution that have additional negative effects on human and environmental health. These methods have contributed to the development of antibiotic resistance; air and water pollution; contamination of food and water with animal waste, pesticides, hormones, and other toxins; increased dependence on nonrenewable fossil fuels (including fertilizers); and a food system that is increasingly vulnerable to accidental or intentional contamination. These methods of food production and distribution are inherent parts of the prevailing agricultural system, which is may be referred to as 'conventional farming, modern agriculture, or industrial farming.

Translation: The industrial ag model which has reigned supreme since the 1950's is breaking down, it doesn't work, it can't continue. We get that. But what does that mean for the health care system?

"Clinical approaches to addressing diet-related health concerns are costly and not sustainable. Additionally, it is difficult for individuals to change their eating behaviors when many forces in the social, cultural, and physical environment do not support such change. The public looks to the health care community to provide leadership in the best practices to promote health. Medical schools, hospitals, and other health care facilities are key participants in the food system with potentially significant roles to play in fostering greater awareness, improving purchasing practices, and promoting consumption of healthy and sustainable food."

Translation: We're now so sick from our unsustainable diet, produced by our unsustainable agricultural system, that our health care system is overburdened and nearly bankrupt. Doctors should practice preventative medicine by eating and prescribing a healthy diet!

The report goes on to say that a sustainable food system must preserve the environment, social justice, health, and economic viability. Government policy at every level must support that.

"Agricultural, food, and nutrition policies affect the choices people and organizations have, and in turn the health of individuals, communities, and the environment."

The report concludes that "Unhealthy food systems are not sustainable, and contribute to the very health problems the health care system is trying to solve – at extraordinary costs both economically and in terms of quality of life. It is essential that health care organizations become both models and advocates of food systems that promote optimal health."

Translation: I assume that means that doctors will make their patients eat healthy diets, instead of prescribing toxic drugs which kill as much as cure. But that's a whole other report!

Read the CSAPH report on sustainable food (pg. 48 - 59)

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