Unhealthy food is now the leading cause of poor health in the United States and worldwide, causing enormous burdens due to malnutrition, obesity, and other diseases. Poor nutrition also contributes to and creates profound health disparities, negatively impacting wellness and prosperity among the most vulnerable populations.
Our food system is also the leading cause of adverse environmental impact, affecting land use, water, and climate change. Together, these health, equity, and environmental effects generate tremendous economic burdens for individuals, families, businesses, and governments. These challenges make nutrition a leading issue — and opportunity — of our day. This is nutrition’s time.
Our mission is to generate trusted science, educate future leaders, and produce real-world impact in nutrition science and policy.
Tremendous advances in the science of nutrition and food systems have placed us at the threshold of solving these remarkable challenges. As the only graduate school of nutrition in North America, the Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University is uniquely positioned to address these issues with unparalleled breadth, real-world engagement, and entrepreneurial spirit. Our mission is to generate trusted science, educate future leaders, and produce real-world impact in nutrition science and policy. Our Strategic Plan reflects an ambitious 5-year agenda with specific strategic aims, goals, and objectives, that together will further our mission and expand our global leadership in the field.
795
Million people in the world do not have enough food to lead a healthy, active life.100
Million children in developing companies are underweight335
Million children age 2 to 19 were overweight or obese in 2013.200
Billion dollars in direct health care spending due to diet-related conditions.
The School is growing both physically and academically. Our space in the Tufts University Boston Health Sciences campus increased by about 30% in 2016, and ongoing faculty searches are underway to fill multiple positions and build further capacity in areas such as novel behavioral interventions, food industry and marketing, policy implementation, water and health, climate change and sustainability, nutrition and global chronic diseases, and data analytics and biostatistics.
For the Friedman School, research is about far more than just advancing knowledge — it’s about having meaningful impact on the health and well-being of all citizens of the world.
8 Strategic Aims
-
Nourished Children, Families, and Communities - Innovations and Interventions for Lifelong Health
We generate cutting-edge science and translate it into practical solutions for people, schools, worksites, the food industry, and governments to eat better and achieve better health across the lifespan.
Associated Goals:
GOAL I
Reduce the double burdens of hunger and obesity in the United States and internationally.
GOAL II
Reduce nutrition-related health inequities.
GOAL III
Unite research and interventions that focus on families, households, and communities.
GOAL IV
Expand our leadership in the science and practice of scale.
GOAL V
Integrate principles of social justice, inclusion, and diversity in the School’s teaching, research, student experiences, partnerships, and advocacy.
GOAL VI
Catalyze interdisciplinary, collaborative, and translational science. -
Healthy Food for All - Tackling Hunger and Disparities
We are committed to all people — from struggling American families to migrant workers in South America to malnourished communities in Africa and South Asia — having access to sufficient, healthy food and prospering from good health.
Associated Goals:
GOAL I
Reduce the double burdens of hunger and obesity in the United States and internationally.
GOAL II
Reduce nutrition-related health inequities.
GOAL III
Unite research and interventions that focus on families, households, and communities.
GOAL IV
Expand our leadership in the science and practice of scale.
GOAL V
Integrate principles of social justice, inclusion, and diversity in the School’s teaching, research, student experiences, partnerships, and advocacy.
GOAL VI
Catalyze interdisciplinary, collaborative, and translational science. -
Longevity and Vitality - Inspiring Healthy, Active Aging and Preventing Chronic Disease
We know that 70 is the new 50, requiring holistic, evidence-based practices to address the unique stages of aging and create longer, more vibrant lifespans.
Associated Goals:
GOAL I
Reduce the double burdens of hunger and obesity in the United States and internationally.
GOAL II
Reduce nutrition-related health inequities.
GOAL III
Unite research and interventions that focus on families, households, and communities.
GOAL IV
Expand our leadership in the science and practice of scale.
GOAL V
Integrate principles of social justice, inclusion, and diversity in the School’s teaching, research, student experiences, partnerships, and advocacy.
GOAL VI
Catalyze interdisciplinary, collaborative, and translational science. -
Sustainable Food Environments - Healthier Food and Agricultural Systems
We bring together our diverse and complementary expertise in nutrition, food systems, agriculture, sustainability, and public policy to achieve healthier, more enduring food environments.
Associated Goals:
GOAL V
Integrate principles of social justice, inclusion, and diversity in the School’s teaching, research, student experiences, partnerships, and advocacy.
GOAL VI
Catalyze interdisciplinary, collaborative, and translational science.
GOAL VII
Promote food systems that increase agricultural sustainability while improving human health. -
Discovery and Entrepreneurship - Moving Nutrition Forward
In an ever-changing world of technology, global economies, and advancing knowledge, a focus on scientific discovery and entrepreneurship is more vital than ever to creating novel solutions to promote better eating, food systems, and wellbeing.
Associated Goals:
GOAL V
Integrate principles of social justice, inclusion, and diversity in the School’s teaching, research, student experiences, partnerships, and advocacy.
GOAL VI
Catalyze interdisciplinary, collaborative, and translational science.
GOAL VIII
Establish and promote a culture of entrepreneurial thinking and discovery among students, faculty, and staff. -
Creating and Enabling Leaders - Developing Pioneers in Nutrition
We recognize that real change comes from the work of many and that our faculty and graduates must lead in their fields to achieve maximum positive change.
Associated Goals:
GOAL IX
Mentor and develop faculty to be effective influential leaders in support of the School’s mission.
GOAL X
Expand and diversify our student body to train future leaders in nutrition science, policy, and practice.
GOAL XI
Create a continuum of academic and professional development to support students and alumni in the dynamic fields of nutrition science and policy. -
Public Impact Initiative - Institutionalizing Advocacy, Policy Change, and Public Impact
We need to transform our academic institution to create formal systems, staff, and structures for bridging the gap between trusted science and practical, real-world applications.
Associated Goals:
GOAL XII
Further establish our position as a trusted voice in nutrition science and policy.
GOAL XIII
Launch a schoolwide strategy and structure for advocacy, policy change, and public impact. -
Foundational Initiatives - Optimizing Structure and Function
A stronger foundation allows us to reach higher than ever by creating structures and systems that support and enable our faculty, staff, and students to excel.
Associated Goal:
GOAL XIV
Develop and implement long-term structures for the School’s administration; financial, virtual, and technological needs; and related infrastructure to support our mission and academic goals.