The trend of population aging has long been predicted but is now a reality. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that the number of persons ages 65 and older will reach 80.8 million by 2040 (up from 54.1 million in 2019), and the 85 and older population is projected to more than double to 14.4 million by 2040 (up from 6.6 million in 2019).
These shifts will impact nearly every aspect of society, from jobs and health care to family support and long-term care. How the nation navigates the changes associated with an aging population will no doubt cause debate, but one part of the healthy aging equation is certain—Food is Medicine strategies can help.
At its core, Food is Medicine advocates a connection between diet and disease treatment, management, and prevention. Interventions are evolving and include everything from pilot community projects to public health programs and for-profit investments.
Aging adults have unique nutritional needs that are critical for achieving health and cognitive outcomes, and quality of life. Adopting Food is Medicine approaches can benefit the health of aging Americans while providing opportunities for farmers to supply nutritious foods.
The 2022 White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health highlighted Food is Medicine as a key strategy. Following the conference, the federal government took specific actions to tackle hunger and nutrition insecurity, including an investment of $59.4 million into produce prescription and nutrition incentive programs and an announcement that Medicaid benefits may soon be spent on certain food programs.
The Rockefeller Foundation and the American Heart Association mobilized $250 million to build a national initiative to increase the understanding and use of Food is Medicine programs and make them part of the health care system.
In the private sector, the Kroger Co., the largest supermarket operator by revenue in the United States, responded through a Food is Medicine platform that features telenutrition with registered dietitian nutritionists and curated healthy food boxes. In 2024, Kaiser Permanente—the nation’s largest nonprofit, integrated healthcare provider—launched its Food Is Medicine Center of Excellence.
Food is Medicine interventions can support healthy aging with a variety of curated foods, including fruits, vegetables, and dairy foods that are culturally relevant, nutrient-dense, and shown to benefit older adults. With the population aging, this has never been more important. For food-insecure older adults, programs like these are critical to ensure access to various healthy foods.
Most older adults have at least one chronic health condition, and high healthcare costs and lack of access to services make it harder for them to receive adequate care. The National Cancer Institute projects that by 2040, nearly three-quarters of people living with cancer will be over age 65. In addition to chronic diseases, older adults have increased health risks related to cognition. Nutrition can play a key role in managing disease and maintaining quality of life.
Importantly for those producing and marketing food products, many older adults have purchasing power. The International Food Information Council’s 2023 Food and Health Survey found that older generations are more likely to seek out products that are low in sugar and sodium to buy foods for heart health.
Older consumers should not be discounted when it comes to food trends; although they may be slower to adopt, their affinity for new trends is higher than younger generations. A growing older adult population will require companies to understand this audience more than ever.
Science reinforces that it is never too late to adopt healthy eating patterns that positively impact health. For example, milk and yogurt reduce the risk of obesity; low-fat milk and dairy foods reduce the risk of hypertension; and yogurt may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
In early 2024, the Food and Drug Administration announced the first ever qualified health claim for yogurt, “Eating yogurt regularly, at least 2 cups (3 servings) per week, may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes according to limited scientific evidence.”
In addition, newly published research investigated the association between dairy intake and risk of incident dementia in older adults and found that daily yogurt consumers had a reduced risk for dementia and that yogurt intake might be inversely associated with dementia risk.
In the years and decades ahead, the United States—as well as other countries across the world—will have to navigate the challenges associated with an aging population. Food and agriculture professionals would benefit by being part of the discussion.
Leaders and marketers of food commodities and products should understand the nutrient profiles of their categories and how certain foods can benefit older adults. With this understanding comes the opportunity to educate the public and private sectors, along with consumers themselves, about strategies for eating patterns that benefit health.
At Dairy Council of California, we believe that partnerships and collaboration are the foundation of collective impact. To learn more and to partner in elevating the health of people across the lifespan, visit DairyCouncilofCA.org.
Amy DeLisio, MPH, RDN, serves as CEO of Dairy Council of California, a nutrition organization that works with champions to elevate the health of children and communities through lifelong healthy eating patterns.
