42 U.S. Code § 280h–3 - Health professional education and training

(a) In general

The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in collaboration with the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration and the heads of other agencies, and in consultation with appropriate health professional associations, shall develop and carry out a program to educate and train health professionals in effective strategies to—

(1) better identify and assess patients with obesity or an eating disorder or patients at-risk of becoming obese or developing an eating disorder;

(2) counsel, refer, or treat patients with obesity or an eating disorder; and

(3) educate patients and their families about effective strategies to improve dietary habits and establish appropriate levels of physical activity.

(b) Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2001 through 2005.

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title III, § 399Z, as added Pub. L. 106–310, div. A, title XXIV, § 2401, Oct. 17, 2000, 114 Stat. 1160.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Guide on Evidence-Based Strategies for Public Health Department Obesity Prevention Programs

Pub. L. 116–260, div. BB, title III, § 312, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2925, provided that:

“(a) Development and Dissemination of an Evidence-based Strategies Guide.—

The Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this section as the ‘Secretary’), acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 27, 2020], may—

“(1) develop a guide on evidence-based strategies for State, territorial, and local health departments to use to build and maintain effective obesity prevention and reduction programs, and, in consultation with Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations, a guide on such evidence-based strategies with respect to Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations for such Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations to use for such purpose, both of which guides shall—

“(A) describe an integrated program structure for implementing interventions proven to be effective in preventing and reducing the incidence of obesity; and

“(B) recommend—

“(i) optimal resources, including staffing and infrastructure, for promoting nutrition and obesity prevention and reduction; and

“(ii) strategies for effective obesity prevention programs for State, territorial, and local health departments, Indian Tribes, and Tribal organizations, including strategies related to—

     “(I) the application of evidence-based and evidence-informed practices to prevent and reduce obesity rates;

     “(II) the development, implementation, and evaluation of obesity prevention and reduction strategies for specific communities and populations;

     “(III) demonstrated knowledge of obesity prevention practices that reduce associated preventable diseases, health conditions, death, and health care costs;

     “(IV) best practices for the coordination of efforts to prevent and reduce obesity and related chronic diseases;

     “(V) addressing the underlying risk factors and social determinants of health that impact obesity rates; and

     “(VI) interdisciplinary coordination between relevant public health officials specializing in fields such as nutrition, physical activity, epidemiology, communications, and policy implementation, and collaboration between public health officials, community-based organizations, and others, as appropriate; and

“(2) disseminate the guides and current research, evidence-based practices, tools, and educational materials related to obesity prevention, consistent with the guides, to State, territorial, and local health departments, Indian Tribes, and Tribal organizations.

“(b) Technical Assistance.—

The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall provide technical assistance to State, territorial, and local health departments, Indian Tribes, and Tribal organizations to support such health departments in implementing the guide developed under subsection (a)(1).

“(c) Indian Tribes; Tribal Organizations; Urban Indian Organizations.—

In this section—

“(1) the terms ‘Indian Tribe’ and ‘Tribal organization’ have the meanings given the terms ‘Indian tribe’ and ‘tribal organization’, respectively, in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304); and

“(2) the term ‘urban Indian organization’ has the meaning given such term in section 4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1603).”

Education and Training on Eating Disorders

Pub. L. 114–255, div. B, title XIII, § 13006, Dec. 13, 2016, 130 Stat. 1287, provided that:

“The Secretary of Health and Human Services may facilitate the identification of model programs and materials for educating and training health professionals in effective strategies to—

“(1) identify individuals with eating disorders;

“(2) provide early intervention services for individuals with eating disorders;

“(3) refer patients with eating disorders for appropriate treatment;

“(4) prevent the development of eating disorders; and

“(5) provide appropriate treatment services for individuals with eating disorders.”