Resolved clauseHCA Healthcare, Inc. is “committed to the care and improvement of human life.” The American Medical Association and other medical professionals recognize that plant-based diets offer patients a variety of health benefits, including lower risks of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, certain cancers, and even severe COVID-19. We urge the board to fulfill its commitment to improving human life by commissioning a report on the feasibility of serving plant-based meals as the primary option for patients in all food service settings. The report should also address the health risks of continuing to serve patients known carcinogens, such as processed meat products.
Supporting statementIn 2017, the American Medical Association called on hospitals to improve patient health by providing a variety of healthful food,
including plant-based meals and meals that are low in fat, sodium, and added sugars; eliminating processed meats; and providing and
promoting healthful beverages. Subsequently, NYC Health + Hospitals, the country’s largest municipal health care system, began serving
plant-based meals as the default lunch and dinner option for inpatients at its 11 public hospitals. In announcing the program, NYCHH’s
president stressed “the importance of a healthy diet and how it can help fend off or treat chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood
pressure, and heart disease.”
It is well-established that plant-based dietary patterns reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes and are
particularly effective in the prevention and treatment of overweight and obesity, as well as body weight maintenance. Large prospective
cohort studies, such as the EPIC study (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition), the Adventist-Health Study, the
Nurses’ Health Study, and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study, have repeatedly demonstrated these benefits.
In 2015, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer classified processed meat — which includes
bacon, sausage, hot dogs, and other meat products preserved with additives or otherwise manipulated to alter color, taste, and durability
— as carcinogenic to humans. Investigators in the EPIC study, which followed 448,568 people, relatedly discovered an 11 percent
increased risk of dying from cancer with the consumption of 50 grams of processed meat per day. In contrast, substitution studies have
found that replacing one serving of processed meat per day with nuts decreased risk for disease by 19 percent and replacement with
legumes decreased risk by 10 percent. IARC also classified red meat as probably carcinogenic to humans.
Diabetes and cancer rates are on the rise. With more than 43 million patient encounters per year, HCA is positioned to improve
public health nationwide. Serving healthful food helps patients get well and stay well over the long term, creating a teachable moment in
which patients learn which foods help treat and prevent chronic disease. HCA has the duty of, and commitment to, improving the life of its patients. We urge shareholders to support this resolution for a
feasibility report on serving plant-based meals as the primary option for patients.