POSITION OF THE AMERICAN-DIETETIC-ASSOCIATION - COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF MEDICAL NUTRITION THERAPY

The national debate on health care reform has led health care providers and payers to develop new approaches to meet the challenges of cost containment and the need for quality care. Medical nutrition therapy plays a key role throughout the continuum of care in all practice settings and phases of the life cycle, from prenatal care to care of older Americans. After nutrition screening identifies those at risk, appropriate medical nutrition therapy leads to improved health outcomes resulting in improved quality of life and cost savings. Dietetics professionals are key members of the health care team and are uniquely qualified to provide medical nutrition therapy. ■ ADA Position adopted by the House of Delegates on October 16, 1994. This position is in effect until December 1997. The American Dietetic Association authorizes republication of the position paper, in its entirely, provided full and proper credit is given. Requests to use portions of the position must be directed to ADA Headquarters at 800/877-1600, ext 4896. ■ Recognition is given to the following for their contributions:. Authors:. Mary Carey, PhD, RD, and Sandra Gillespie, MMSc, RD. Reviewers:. Clinical Nutrition Management dietetic practice group (Sylvia Escott-Stump, MA, RD; Michele M. Fairchild, MA, RD; Evalina Scott, RD); Diabetes Care and Education dietetic practice group (Melinda Marynuik, MEd, RD); Doris Disbrow, DrPH, RD; Michele Mathieu-Harris; Martha M. Lynch, MS, RD; Patricia L. Splett, MPH, PhD, RD. © 1995 American Dietetic Association.