2018-43

Arizona State University
University Senate

Senate Motion #2018-43

Motion Introduced by: Curriculum and Academic Programs Committee, Caroline Harrison, Chair

Date of First Reading: March 26, 2018

Date of Second Reading: April 23, 2018

Title of Motion: Request from the College of Health Solutions – School of Nutrition and Health Promotion - for the establishment of a graduate program – MS in Medical Nutrition

Action Requested: This curricular proposal has received all college, school, unit and university administrative approvals, and is being presented to the Senate for review and voting decision.   

Rationale: Lifestyle-related chronic diseases now account for 70% of all U.S. deaths and 75% of U.S. health care expenditures. Nutritional therapy is widely accepted as a low-risk, low cost, highly effective intervention for the prevention, risk reduction, and treatment of obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers. Although 94% of physicians believe nutrition counseling should be a standard component of primary care, only 14% feel qualified to provide it. This program will target medical students, residents, and fellows; physician assistant students; and other students in health professions. The core nutrition competencies will encompass nutrition basics; lifespan; cardiovascular, metabolic/endocrine, gastrointestinal, and immunology systems; and emerging topics including microbiome, nutrigenomics, nutritional and botanical supplements, and personalized medicine.