The Critical Role of Accredited Nutrition and Dietetics Programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities

The purpose of this article is to discuss the important role that Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) play in increasing diversity among Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN). Increasing diversity in health professions can contribute to improved healthcare parity and increased research involvement for underserved populations. While the percentage of practicing RDNs has increased among several underrepresented groups, the percentages among African Americans (AA) have declined. From 1997 to 2020, the percentage of AA RDNs increased by 0.5% from 2.5% to 3.0%, while there has been a 15% decrease in the percentage of AA students enrolled in accredited nutrition and dietetics education programs and a 58% decrease in the number of "Blacks" admitted to dietetic internships over the past decade. Interventions are needed to reverse these trends. Recently, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) developed the "Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA)" action plan to further their historical efforts to increase diversity in the field. This article discusses the barriers facing accredited nutrition and dietetics programs housed in HBCUs and some ways in which HBCUs are uniquely positioned to support the AND's IDEA plan.