Nutrition education and chronic disease prevention at federally qualified health centers

Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254b) is amended— (1)by redesignating subsection (r) as subsection (s); and (2)by inserting after subsection (q) the following:

(r)

Nutrition education and chronic disease prevention initiative

(1)

In general

The Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (in this subsection referred to as the Secretary), shall support health centers in integrating and expanding evidence-based nutrition education and counseling into primary care delivery and workforce training. (2)

Use of funds

In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary may utilize existing funding, made available under section 10503(a)(1) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, to award a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement, and may provide technical assistance, to a health center for— (A)patient-centered nutrition education and counseling services; (B)integration of nutrition assessment and dietary counseling into chronic disease management; (C)training and continuing education in nutrition science and dietary counseling for health center providers in health centers; (D)establishing and maintaining interdisciplinary models of care that incorporate registered dietitians, community health workers, and other appropriate professionals; (E)developing culturally and linguistically appropriate nutrition education materials; and (F)evaluating clinical and cost outcomes associated with nutrition interventions. (3)

Participation of affiliated entities

A health center may affiliate with an academic medical center or medical school in carrying out activities receiving assistance under this subsection. (4)

Priority

In making awards under this subsection, the Secretary shall prioritize health centers serving populations with high rates of diet-related chronic disease, food insecurity, or other nutrition-related health disparities. (5)

Supplement, not supplant

Funds made available to carry out this subsection shall supplement, and not supplant, other Federal, State, local, or private funding used for similar purposes. (6)

Annual reports to Congress

Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of the Nutrition Education and Chronic Disease Prevention in Community Health Centers Act of 2026, and annually thereafter through fiscal year 2031, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that— (A)describes the use of funds under this subsection; (B)evaluates improvements in patient outcomes related to chronic disease indicators attributable to activities receiving assistance under this subsection; (C)assesses improvements in workforce training participation and competency development attributable to activities receiving assistance under this subsection; and (D)estimates potential cost savings to Federal health care programs attributable to nutrition interventions receiving assistance under this subsection.