Washington, DC—More than 50 citizen lobbyists representing a consortium of 15 national nonprofits and organizations gathered on Capitol Hill on September 10 for the first My Health Alliance Lobby Day, organized by the Organic & Natural Health Association.
Participants included representatives from Organic & Natural Health, WholeFoods Magazine, Americans for Homeopathy Choice, Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, SENPA, American Herbal Products Association (AHPA), GrassrootsHealth, Power Up Nursing, Organic Consumers Association, the Non-GMO Project, Moms Across America, American Grassfed Association, Beyond Pesticides, IFOAM – Organics International, and the Holistic Council.
“This Lobby Day represents a landmark event in the natural products industry,” said Karen Howard, CEO and Executive Director of Organic & Natural Health. “For the first time, so many groups are walking into Congress together with one purpose: To push for policies that improve the health of families and strengthen the wellness of future generations.”
Advocacy Agenda
While the consortium addressed a range of issues impacting the natural products industry, including pesticide reduction, GMO elimination, and trade protections for botanicals, the central focus was the Maternal Vitamin D Initiative, which is backed by the majority of My Health Alliance members. As Organic & Natural Health explained, the Maternal Vitamin D Initiative calls on Congress to:
- Establish a federal program for active-duty military maternity care, ensuring access to vitamin D testing and supplementation.
- Fund federal–state partnerships to expand maternal vitamin D programs nationwide.
- Update outdated national standards for vitamin D intake during pregnancy to reflect modern science.
Showing the importance of this Initiative, Organic & Natural Health shared research showing that 89% of pregnant women have suboptimal vitamin D levels, with 31% clinically deficient. The organization noted that current guidelines, which are based on 2011 standards, recommend intakes far below levels now proven to reduce risks of preterm birth, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and other complications.
“Maternal health in America is at crisis levels, and vitamin D deficiency is a preventable, under-addressed contributor to complications in pregnancy and infant development,” said Howard. “Congress has an opportunity to save lives and lower healthcare costs with one simple, evidence-based step: securing sufficient vitamin D for all pregnant women.”
Engaged Audience
At the end of the Lobby Day, the consortium held a congressional reception, hosted with the assistance of Rep. Vince Fong. More than 200 congressional staff and members of Congress gathered at the event, which featured healthy fare from Founding Farmers and a informational stations where attendees could learn more about the various issues presented by My Health Alliance. Attendees also had the opportunity to have their vitamin D levels tested by GrassrootsHealth Nutrient Research Institute.
The collective effort sets the stage for greater unity in the natural products industry, according to the the Organic & Natural Health Association, which formed My Health Alliance and is calling on the broader industry to add its voice to the initiative and help amplify the movement for healthier families and a stronger future. To get involved, visit organicandnatural.org.
