Murphy, Blumenthal, Bonamici Introduce Bicameral Resolution Designating Malnutrition Awareness Week
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WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator
Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and U.S. Representative Suzanne Bonamici
(D-Ore-1) on Wednesday introduced a resolution designating the week of
September 19 through September 23, 2022, as “Malnutrition Awareness Week.”
Malnutrition is a significant problem in the United States and around the world
that occurs when a person does not get enough nutrients. Malnutrition
disproportionally impacts children. In 2021, five million American
children lived in food-insecure households. Additionally, disease-associated malnutrition in older adults costs the United
States more than $51.3 billion each year. U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal
(D-Conn.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Maggie Hassan
(D-N.H), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) co-sponsored the
resolution.
The resolution
recognizes registered dietitian nutritionists and other nutrition professionals,
health care providers, social workers, and advocates for their efforts to
advance awareness and to prevent malnutrition. It also recognizes the
inextricable link between poverty and malnutrition, and the disproportionate
affect felt by communities of color.
“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. 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,” said Murphy.
“No one in our country should go hungry, but millions of Americans
are struggling with malnutrition and hunger,” said 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.”
“There
are millions of children across the country living without access to
sufficient, nutritious food. The devastating impacts of childhood malnutrition
on long-term health and wellness cannot be understated. More must be done to
support federal programs to ensure every child, adult and senior has the
nutritious foods they need to live a long, healthy life. I am proud to
co-sponsor this resolution to raise awareness of the impacts of malnutrition
and to recognize the professionals devoted to providing nutritional care and
access to food for those in need,” said Blumenthal.
Full text of the resolution can
be found here.
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