Food
Diet-related disease is linked to eight out of ten leading causes of death worldwide. Obesity is on the rise in many countries. Almost nine percent of the world's population is undernourished. Climate change and growing populations are on a trajectory that will lead to increases in food insecurity. This section examines these issues and how food policies and systems impact equity and human well-being.
Food
820 M
Million people do not have enough food to eat
Million people do not have enough food to eat
25%
Decline in global undernutrition since 2005
Decline in global undernutrition since 2005
1/3
Share of food produced annually lost or wasted
Share of food produced annually lost or wasted
70%
Global water use that goes to agriculture
Global water use that goes to agriculture
2 B
Billion people are overweight or obese globally
Billion people are overweight or obese globally
Featured
Food Fight: Fighting for Healthier Food is a Life-or-Death Struggle
Governments should act now to build resilient populations, protected from nutrition-related diseases
Children, Hunger, Stress, and Coronavirus
We need to identify at-risk U.S. children and expand safety nets worldwide to keep kids fed, immunized, and looked after
Why Private Sector Engagement Should Be Part of the Solution in the Developing World
It’s time we push for a broader COVID-19 response that recognizes the role of business in systemic and behavior change
In Somalia, Should COVID Vaccination or Food Security Come First?
Conflict and drought further complicate the East African nation's health decisions
COVID-19 Shows Us It's Time to Tackle Obesity and Overweight
Lessons and cautionary tales from the anti-smoking movement show us a way to move forward
The Voices of the Navajos
After COVID-19, who will hear the Navajo Nation and address education, water infrastructure, and food insecurity issues?
Pig Pandemics and Other "Epizootic" Threats
COVID-19 is scary, and so are disease outbreaks in animals—they cause great economic devastation and disrupt human lives
Coronavirus and America's Food Supply
Swift action to ensure worker safety, robust food inspections, and sustained supply chains should be top U.S. priorities
COVID-19 and America’s Migrant Workforce
Need health care and groceries? Congress should protect the immigrant workforce—even if the Trump Administration won't
COVID-19: This Crisis Should Make Us Stronger
As efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 succeed, those who are better off must help the most vulnerable
A Russian Prescription to Reduce Alcohol Use
Sustained changes to alcohol policy in Russia have contributed to big gains in life expectancy
What are Microbiomes and Probiotics?
The first in a series on bacteria in the gut and their potential for improving health and addressing malnutrition
The Market, the Clinic, the Lung, and the Lab
An interview with University of Iowa expert Stanley Perlman on what we know and what we don’t about the new coronavirus
How to Find Healthy Processed Foods? Just say Na+
Reducing the world’s sodium intake should start with industry, and lessons from the United Kingdom show it can work
To Encourage Healthy Eating, Use the Carrot, Not Just the Stick
As communities consider taxing sugary drinks, they should also consider the critical role of healthy food subsidies