About the Initiative
The Diet and Health Initiative is a University of Connecticut program that was established in 2010 under the leadership of Dr. Bruce A. Watkins and with the assistance of the Committee for the Diet and Health Initiative and the Executive Provisional Advisory Committee. By partnering with the University of Connecticut Health Center and utilizing the expertise of individuals throughout the UCONN community, we will foster innovative research and educate the public on discoveries in diet and health.
Mission and Vision
Mission: Create new synergies in research and education to understand the actions of nutrients and bioactive food components for preserving health and reducing risks for diet-related chronic diseases. To promote greater public awareness of these discoveries and create community activities that improves health and the quality of life.
Vision: Serve as a premier center for discovery and dissemination of nutrition knowledge to facilitate dietary and lifestyle changes for better health and reduced risks for chronic disease.
Why is the Diet and Health Initiative Important?
- New synergies in research and education are needed to advance nutrition knowledge.
- It is time to adapt new technologies to determine the actions of bioactive food components.
- Public awareness and community activities must be developed to reduce chronic disease risks.
Initiative News
- March 12, 2012
- Round Two Grant Competition Recipients Named
- November 14, 2011
- Round Two of the Grant Program Research Competition
- October 1, 2011
- Grant Competition Recipients Named
- September 26, 2011
- Advisory Board Members Named
- May 18, 2011
- Grant Program Announcement for the DHI
Statements about the Initiative
"We are pleased to form a key initiative at the University of Connecticut with the purpose to improve health and reduce chronic disease for the citizens of Connecticut and the country."
Gregory J. Weidemann, Ph.D., Dean, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources