Joint Osteopathic Organizational Leadership Coalition Statement

March 2026

The osteopathic medical profession has long recognized that improving health outcomes requires more than treating illness alone. Partnership with our patients in their health journey is crucial and foundational in providing osteopathic cate. As national initiatives place greater emphasis on reducing chronic disease, osteopathic physicians remain dedicated to implementing patient-centered strategies that consider all relevant factors influencing health, including nutrition, physical activity, environmental conditions and lifestyle choices. Across medical education, physician assessment licensure and professional development, the profession works to ensure physicians are prepared to support healthy living and deliver evidence-based, whole-person care. 

To support these objectives, the following measures have been implemented:

• The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) spearheaded a "Food as Medicine" special session in 2024.
• Osteopathic medical education and professional organizations have continued to actively integrate nutrition and preventive care into the physician training continuum.
• The Council on Osteopathic Colleges Accreditation (COCA) has reaffirmed this commitment by updating accreditation standards to include comprehensive nutrition education, thereby ensuring that future osteopathic physicians are well-equipped to address prevention, manage chronic diseases and promote whole-person health.
• The National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME) has released its Fundamental Osteopathic Medical Competency Domains 2026 framework, which guides assessment content and includes expanded focus on diet and nutrition in patient care. Additionally, a new assessment, COMAT-Nutrition In Patient Care, is scheduled for launch in 2027.

Across the osteopathic community, colleges of osteopathic medicine and partner organizations are advancing "Food as Medicine" initiatives, supporting research and educational grant programs focused on nutrition and preventive care,  expanding curricula for osteopathic medical students and osteopathic physicians and emphasizing lifestyle medicine and population health. Osteopathic leaders have also contributed to national public health and wellness initiatives, reflecting the profession's longstanding leadership in prevention-focused healthcare and a coordinated commitment to whole-person care throughout training and practice.

Osteopathic physicians have long contributed to public health and wellness initiatives that advance prevention and empower patients to make informed decisions about their health. The Joint Osteopathic Organizational Leadership (JOOL) coalition reaffirms its commitment to working with osteopathic physicians and relevant stakeholders to advance solutions that prioritize prevention, strengthen the physician-patient relationship and improve health outcomes for all Americans.