(PO26-03-22) An Analysis of Political Contributions From Dietetic Professionals in the United States

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Presenting Author(s)

S. Ryan Pierson, MS, RD
– Medical Student, University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, Texas, United States

Co-Author(s)

LL

Liane Le
– University of Texas at Austin
HS

Hiba Shaikh
– University of Texas at Austin

Disclosure(s):

S. Ryan Pierson, MS, RD: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Objectives: The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) created a nonpartisan political action committee, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Political Action Committee (ANDPAC), formerly known as the American Dietetic Association PAC (ADAPAC), to support political candidates backing the Academy’s public policy priorities. We aimed to reveal how this political action committee utilized the funding from health care occupations (primarily nutritionists or registered dietitians) by analyzing the patterns of their political contributions.

Methods: Contribution data collected from the United States Federal Election Commission (FEC) database from 2003 through 2021 was examined. Each contribution from 2003 through 2010 was made to the ADAPAC and thereafter contributions were made to ANDPAC. Occupation lines were used to filter for dietitians. Patterns of funding, unique contributions, and total amount of contributions were collected. Donations from ANDPAC to Democratic, Republican, or Independent candidates in each congressional election cycle was analyzed utilizing Microsoft Excel.

Results: In 2003, there were 3 unique RD contributions to ADAPAC. By 2017, ANDPAC received contributions from 181 unique RD contributors. This declined to 68 unique RD contributors by 2021. Total RD monetary contributions to ANDPAC also declined from 2017 to 2021 ($24,071.00 to $13,835.61, respectively). From 2003 to 2021, ANDPAC contributed a total of $1,685,977.41 to political parties. Democrats received more contributions than Republicans or Independents from ANDPAC in 14 of 19 years.

Conclusions: Understanding political contributions in today’s society is pivotal to interpreting policy changes. In its 19 years of existence, the ADAPAC/ANDPAC has primarily funded the Democratic political party. Although there have been recent fluctuations, RD contributions to ADAPAC/ANDPAC has substantially grown since 2003.

Funding Sources: None