In 2017, the American Medical Association called on U.S. 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 from menus; 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 new meal 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—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 400,000 patients served each year, Encompass is positioned to improve public health nationwide. Serving healthful food helps patients get well and stay well, creating a teachable moment in which patients learn which foods help treat and prevent chronic disease. Encompass commits to providing a better way to care for its patients. We urge shareholders to support this resolution for a feasibility report on serving plantbased meals as the primary option for patients.