The American Medical Association should change agriculture subsidies in the Farm Bill, say experts

As the pandemic began, a lot of sectors were at risk of complications. The medical professionals and experts and data showed that advanced age and pre-existing conditions such as hypertension, obesity, and diabetes were factors of concern repeatedly. A recent meta-analysis has found that the patients with obesity had a four-fold increased risk of dying from COVID-19.  To overcome this rise in metabolic disease, corn byproducts in processed food play a major role.

According to the medical expert's opinion, the corn byproducts such as high fructose corn syrup (HCFS), maltodextrin, and cornstarch are used to modify food products' consistency. This has led to increased consumption of processed and fast foods that have less nutritional index and value. Recent pieces of evidence also depict that HCFS is worse than sucrose as a sweetener. By adding HCFS and other additives to the food products, food manufacturers can reduce production costs.

Experts say, to address this issue government should ensure subsidies reflect their guidelines for a healthy diet. The American Medical Association (AMA) can use its considerable lobbying power to convince lawmakers on this issue. The AMA must take their advocacy step to actively lobby the government to rethink agriculture subsidies in the Farm Bill.