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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced its request for $7.2 billion as part of President Joe Biden’s fiscal year (FY) 2025 proposed budget.
FDA’s request, which is about 7% higher than last year, covers the agency’s top health priorities.
“This funding will allow the agency to enhance food safety and nutrition, advance medical product safety, help support supply chain resiliency, strengthen the agency’s public-health and mission-support capacity, and modernize the FDA’s infrastructure and facilities,” according to an FDA News Release.
Let’s dive into what these requests entail and how it can impact Latinos.
Enhancing Food Safety and Nutrition
FDA is requesting $15 million to protect and promote a safe, nutritious U.S. food supply through the FDA’s human foods initiatives.
The initiatives will modernize FDA’s capacity to prevent or mitigate foodborne illness outbreaks by investing in necessary tools and processes to strengthen root-cause investigations.
The budget request also supports the FDA in addressing the enormous public health burden of diet-related chronic diseases and the goals of the President’s National Strategy for Hunger, Nutrition, and Health.
The Biden-Harris Administration announced its goal to eliminate hunger in America, improve diet and physical activity, and reduce diet-related disease by 2030.
The goal is based on five pillars of strategic action:
- Improve food access and affordability.
- Integrate nutrition and health.
- Empower all consumers to make and have access to healthy choices.
- Support physical activity for all.
- Enhance nutrition and food security research.
“Help more Americans access the food that will keep their families nourished and healthy, lot of food deserts out there,” Biden said of the plans.
Shortages and Supply
FDA is also requesting $12.3 million to address supply-chain disruptions and support supply chain resiliency for drugs, medical devices, and foods.
“Through an agency-wide crosscutting initiative, the FDA will advance its capabilities to help prepare for, build resilience to, and respond to shortages through improved analytics and regulatory approaches,” according to an FDA news release.
FDA will also continue to promote manufacturing quality across the pharmaceutical industry and develop and implement modernized systems to respond to shortages more quickly.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, shortages increased, which added to the pandemic-related health barriers that the Latino community faced.
“Amongst other initiatives, the agency will hire additional investigators to fulfill inspectional needs associated with increased supply-chain disruptions and consequent human food and medical product shortages in recent years,” according to FDA.
Bolstering the Public Health Workforce, Modernization Efforts
FDA also requested $114.8 million to support public health employee workforce.
“This funding will help the FDA cover estimated inflationary pay costs and cost-of-living adjustments to minimize reductions to hiring capabilities and maintain the agency’s highly qualified, specialized staff crucial to carrying out its public health mission,” according to FDA.
Additionally, $8 million in funds was requested to support the implementation of the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA).
The MoCRA aims to ensure the safety of cosmetic products many consumers use daily.
Use of chemicals, like PFAS, is widespread.
“The FDA will use the funding increase to further develop a modernized cosmetics regulatory program and enhance the agency’s efforts to protect consumers and help ensure the safety of cosmetic products,” according to the FDA.
Infrastructure, Buildings, and Facilities
The funding request will allow FDA personnel at facilities across the country to carry out its mission, including:
- Evaluate food safety and medical products.
- Continue to expand laboratory operations supporting inspections at points of entry to reduce the flow of adulterated and illicit imported products.
- Respond to emergencies.
“Optimally functioning facilities provide secure, modern, reliable, and cost-effective office and laboratory space that empowers the FDA’s workforce to protect and promote the safety and the public health,” according to FDA.
Go here for a complete list of requests from FDA.
Advocate for Change in Your Area
Public health is important for health equity, where everyone has a fair, just opportunity to be their healthiest.
Start with the Health Equity Report Card from Salud America! at UT Health San Antonio.
Use this resource to explore customized-for-your-area interactive maps and data on a variety of health-related issues, including housing, transportation, healthcare, education, and more.
Compare the results of your county with other counties and states across the nation.
Share the results with local leaders and organizations to advocate for change in your community!
By The Numbers
1
Supermarket
for every Latino neighborhood, compared to 3 for every non-Latino neighborhood
