| Id |
Subject |
Object |
Predicate |
Lexical cue |
| T390 |
0-4 |
Sentence |
denotes |
USDA |
| T391 |
5-198 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Starting in 1895, Dr. Wilbur Atwater's pioneering work at USDA laid much of the groundwork for modern nutrition science in the US as well as many current USDA nutrition research programs (132). |
| T392 |
199-334 |
Sentence |
denotes |
The USDA is the second largest federal funder of nutrition-relevant research, with activities across multiple agencies (Table 1) (133). |
| T393 |
335-651 |
Sentence |
denotes |
The Farm Bill requires the Secretary of USDA to establish and support food and human nutrition research as a distinct mission of the Department, including coordinating nutrition research within the Department and with agencies across the federal government, as well as using formalized mechanisms for external input. |
| T394 |
652-801 |
Sentence |
denotes |
The USDA also has a major focus on implementing federal nutrition programs to segments of the public, which constitute the majority of USDA's budget. |
| T395 |
802-1146 |
Sentence |
denotes |
The importance of the nutrition assistance and associated nutrition education programs for improving food security and health and preventing disease in low-income populations creates a particularly important need to integrate and connect nutrition research from within and outside USDA to inform and guide policy development for these programs. |
| T396 |
1147-1410 |
Sentence |
denotes |
The agencies in USDA's Research, Education, and Economics (REE) mission area work to integrate research, analysis, and education to create a safe, sustainable, competitive US food and agricultural system and strong, healthy communities, families, and youth (134). |
| T397 |
1411-1511 |
Sentence |
denotes |
REE science agencies include the ARS, NIFA, ERS, and National Agricultural Statistics Service (135). |
| T398 |
1512-1791 |
Sentence |
denotes |
The ARS’ Human Nutrition Program emphasizes food-based approaches for health, including a core network of 6 internationally recognized Human Nutrition Research Centers with scientists, equipment, and facilities for long-term, multidisciplinary, translational research (136, 137). |
| T399 |
1792-2044 |
Sentence |
denotes |
NIFA supports postsecondary education at 113 land-grant colleges and universities (Public Law 37–130), as well as 21 historically black colleges and universities (Public Law 51–841) and 37 tribal colleges and universities (Public Law 89–329) (138–141). |
| T400 |
2045-2434 |
Sentence |
denotes |
While federal funding for these schools initially focused on agricultural research and extension, over time these schools have increasingly focused on human nutrition and food research and extension nutrition education, although the recent growth in research is largely through additional competitive grant mechanisms rather than direct NIFA support to the Agricultural Experiment Station. |
| T401 |
2435-2905 |
Sentence |
denotes |
NIFA further supports extramural nutrition research, often with a focus on integrating agricultural considerations with promotion of health and decreasing health disparities; this work includes funding projects aiming to identify environmental and behavioral factors that act as barriers to consumption of a high-quality diet, while identifying factors that promote healthy eating behaviors (e.g., increasing home access and availability of fruits and vegetables) (142). |
| T402 |
2906-3149 |
Sentence |
denotes |
The ERS’ food and nutrition research aims to study demographic, social, economic, and informational determinants of adequacy and healthfulness of the American diet, related health outcomes, and corresponding health care expenditures (11, 143). |
| T403 |
3150-3487 |
Sentence |
denotes |
This research includes examining interactions among consumers, food industry, and government as they relate to the food supply, markets, and access; food choice and its impact on diet quality; federal regulations and other aspects of food policy; and the USDA's nutrition assistance programs in meeting public policy and nutrition goals. |
| T404 |
3488-3603 |
Sentence |
denotes |
The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is the only agency of the Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services mission area. |
| T405 |
3604-3813 |
Sentence |
denotes |
The FNS administers 15 domestic nutrition assistance programs, conducts some limited research, and makes use of nutrition research sponsored by other federal agencies to help assess and improve these programs. |
| T406 |
3814-4161 |
Sentence |
denotes |
And, as discussed in the cross-governmental section below, the USDA FNS Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP) conducts the evidence analysis for the DGAs, including nutrition evidence systematic reviews, data analysis, and food pattern modeling, and develops the corresponding consumer-facing education tools (e.g., MyPlate) (144, 145). |
| T407 |
4162-4300 |
Sentence |
denotes |
USDA investments in research and statistics, including nutrition, have fallen below 1980s levels in constant dollars (Figure 3) (12, 146). |
| T408 |
4301-4555 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Indeed, as a percentage of GDP, public investment in agrifood (agriculture and food combined) research and development (4.2%) and particularly food research and development (1%) was lower in 2018 than pharmaceutical research and development (4.9%) (147). |
| T409 |
4556-4674 |
Sentence |
denotes |
The US fell behind China in public agricultural research in 2009, and now only invests half the amount as China (148). |
| T410 |
4675-4880 |
Sentence |
denotes |
US public sector funding for agricultural research and development is also lower than India, Western Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region including Canada, using constant 2011 purchasing-power parity (148). |
| T411 |
4881-4993 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Yet, growth in productivity in the farm sector has come almost exclusively from science-based innovations (146). |
| T412 |
4994-5199 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Declines in US public funding for food and agriculture research and development “risks national competitiveness, long-term cutting-edge scientific discovery, and the next generation talent pipeline” (147). |
| T413 |
5200-5457 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Specific to nutrition, as one example, the ARS budget for human nutrition research and monitoring, including funding for 6 important extramural and intramural Human Nutrition Centers nationally, has been flat since 1980 in constant dollars (Figure 5) (132). |
| T414 |
5458-5690 |
Sentence |
denotes |
In addition, 2 USDA research and statistical agencies that include nutrition research—ERS and NIFA—were relocated to Kansas City, Missouri, at the start of fiscal year 2020 and lost 50% (ERS) and 71% (NIFA) of their workforce (149). |
| T415 |
5691-6029 |
Sentence |
denotes |
A recent Congressional Research Service analysis reported the leadership positions at NIFA and ERS have been staffed primarily by acting officials since the relocation and indicated that Congress may be interested in how NIFA and ERS are meeting their responsibilities with reduced workforces and as new staff are potentially hired (150). |
| T416 |
6030-6215 |
Sentence |
denotes |
These trends demonstrate declining investments in science to advance US food and agriculture to increase health, sustain our natural resources, and stimulate rural economic development. |
| T417 |
6216-6506 |
Sentence |
denotes |
FIGURE 5 Trends in USDA ARS investments for total nutrition research based on data from the USDA, Hathi Trust, and the Government Publishing Office (12) (top panel) and for human nutrition research and monitoring for fiscal years 1978–2010 based on data from the USDA (132) (bottom panel). |
| T418 |
6507-6695 |
Sentence |
denotes |
In the bottom panel, shaded bars represent absolute yearly funding (millions of dollars) and open bars represent funding adjusted to 1978 dollars (https://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl). |
| T419 |
6696-6748 |
Sentence |
denotes |
ARS, Agricultural Research Service; FY, fiscal year. |
| T420 |
6749-6858 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Top panel adapted from POLITICO Pro Datapoint (12), with graphic design support courtesy of Ink&Pixel Agency. |
| T421 |
6859-6997 |
Sentence |
denotes |
The USDA has aimed to coordinate nutrition research within and outside the department in many different ways (Supplemental Table 4) (132). |
| T422 |
6998-7465 |
Sentence |
denotes |
The Food Security Act of 1985 (Public Law 99–198) required the Secretary of Agriculture to submit to Congress “a comprehensive plan for implementing a national nutrition research program, including recommendations relating to research directions, educational activities, and funding levels necessary to carry out such a plan.” This plan was submitted to Congress in 1986, but no new legislative mandates or change in mission resulted from this report (132, 151, 152). |
| T423 |
7466-7744 |
Sentence |
denotes |
In 1993, USDA revised its human nutrition program coordination structure and developed a Human Nutrition Policy Committee that reported to the Secretary's Policy Coordination Council and a USDA Human Nutrition Coordinating Committee (HNCC) that reported to the Policy Committee. |
| T424 |
7745-7823 |
Sentence |
denotes |
The Human Nutrition Policy Committee has not been active since the late 1990s. |
| T425 |
7824-7994 |
Sentence |
denotes |
HNCC is chaired by an ARS representative and vice-chaired by an FNS representative and includes members from a variety of USDA agencies with additional liaisons from HHS. |
| T426 |
7995-8053 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Over the last 2 decades, HNCC has generally met quarterly. |
| T427 |
8054-8203 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Each March, HNCC coordinates National Nutrition Month activities at USDA and functions as the steering committee for the website Nutrition.gov (153). |
| T428 |
8204-8651 |
Sentence |
denotes |
USDA Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS) was established by Congress in 2008 (Public Law 110–234) “to provide strategic coordination of the science that informs USDA's and the federal government's decisions, policies, and regulations that impact all aspects of US food and agriculture and related landscapes and communities.” (154) The OCS advises USDA's Chief Scientist and the Secretary of Agriculture in multiple areas, including the following: |
| T429 |
8652-8928 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Agricultural Systems and Technology; Animal Health and Production, and Animal Products; Plant Health and Production, and Plant Products; Renewable Energy, Natural Resources, and Environment; Food Safety, Nutrition, and Health; and Agricultural Economics and Rural Communities. |
| T430 |
8929-9072 |
Sentence |
denotes |
By statute, OCS is primarily staffed by detailed staff from other departments and agencies across the government for potentially up to 3 years. |
| T431 |
9073-9255 |
Sentence |
denotes |
In 2017, OCS hosted the first-of-its-kind USDA Intra-Departmental Nutrition Workshop Series and identified major gaps and needs to strengthen coordination of USDA nutrition research. |
| T432 |
9256-9672 |
Sentence |
denotes |
These gaps and needs included the following: assessing existing and potential new means of coordination and collaboration; developing new interdepartmental working groups and interest groups; identifying new and improved ways to enhance coordination with USDA food safety efforts; better utilizing the HNCC; and hosting overviews of USDA nutrition relevant databases and related data science trainings and resources. |
| T433 |
9673-9793 |
Sentence |
denotes |
The chair of this workshop series was detailed to OCS for 1 y and completed the detail a few months after this workshop. |
| T434 |
9794-9904 |
Sentence |
denotes |
A 2019 GAO report noted there are currently no plans for another intradepartmental meeting on nutrition (155). |
| T435 |
9905-10064 |
Sentence |
denotes |
In 2020, USDA put forth a new Science Blueprint for the next 5 y to help promote synergy across the department for prioritized objectives and strategies (156). |
| T436 |
10065-10798 |
Sentence |
denotes |
This Blueprint includes specific objectives in nutrition and health promotion, such as to develop and update the current evidence base to promote proper macro- and micronutrient intake among critical age groups or life stages, such as women who are pregnant or lactating, infants, children, adolescents, working-age adults, tribal members, and seniors; provide guidance and incentives to promote healthier eating patterns so that the US can reduce incidence of, and morbidity from, obesity and diet-related chronic diseases; promote food systems that reduce the prevalence and severity of food insecurity; and expand understanding about the impacts of USDA nutrition assistance programs on human health, communities, and the economy. |
| T437 |
10799-11204 |
Sentence |
denotes |
The USDA Science Blueprint has objectives related to infrastructure, innovation, and well-being: to develop and evaluate methods to increase access to low-cost and nutritious food as well as sustain efficient agriculture and bioeconomy systems in rural communities; and to evaluate alternative systems that may improve the quality, resiliency, and sustainability of food, fiber, forest, and fuel supplies. |
| T438 |
11205-12247 |
Sentence |
denotes |
The USDA also set forth objectives to work toward being a “beacon for science”: to encourage a global conversation and facilitate such discussion within decision-making bodies about literacy in agriculture, food, forestry, health, and science; advocate globally for the development of science-based, international and domestic standards, regulatory approaches, and policies, including those guiding the development of new and emerging technologies; develop an effective and diverse US agriculture workforce that contributes to safer, healthier, vibrant, sustainable, and innovative communities; enhance the capacities of USDA and other institutions in workforce development, with attention towards developing scientists and practitioners familiar with developing technologies and innovative practices; and develop and expand degree, certificate, curriculum, and youth programs that integrate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) into instruction, considering real-world challenges relevant to agriculture and food science. |
| T439 |
12248-12391 |
Sentence |
denotes |
How new federal funding streams, leadership, or coordination structures may help achieve these laudable goals were not addressed in the report. |
| T440 |
12392-12631 |
Sentence |
denotes |
On 20 February 2020, the Secretary of Agriculture put forth a new Agriculture Innovation Agenda, a department-wide initiative to align resources, programs, and research to position American agriculture to better meet future global demands. |
| T441 |
12632-12779 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Benchmarks of success included reducing US food loss and waste by 50% by the year 2030 and reducing US nutrient loss in water by 30% by 2050 (157). |
