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Registered dietitians (RDs) are an essential part of the public health system in Canada, working in a variety of roles and organizations. Their positions include those with a specific nutrition focus and, in some cases, a distinct responsibility for health equity. RDs also have transferable skills and knowledge related to structural and social determinants of health.
Bringing together equity-focused RDs in public health
Recognizing that RDs have both the passion for and the capacity to address structural and social determinants of health equity within their scope and roles, the NCCDH partnered with Eric Ng to convene RDs working in equity-focused roles in public health across Canada. Conversations centred around the essential role of RDs in equity-focused work, passion for social justice, and opportunities as well as barriers for RDs in addressing the structural and social determinants of health.
Collective learnings
RDs are well suited and have the necessary skills and knowledge for health equity work. Relational approaches and organizational support were identified as being essential to equity-focused work. Opportunities for RDs to address health equity in their roles included topic-specific areas such as food systems and food justice, advocacy and organizational change. Challenges included pushback, insufficient resources allocated to equity work and peripheral support for equity work.
Considerations going forward
Faced with dwindling staff allocations and representing a small profession within Canada’s public health system, RDs reinforced that being connected as a profession is essential for strengthening their capacity across diverse roles and scopes.
Use this resource to
- Facilitate discussion about the qualifications and capabilities of RDs in public health to address health equity
- Inform program and staffing decisions that affect the positions and scope of RDs in public health
- Establish health equity, social justice and anti-oppression approaches as essential to all aspects of the work of RDs in public health
Related resources
Core competencies for public health in Canada: Release 2.0
Reference
National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health & Ng, E. (2026). “We are stronger together”: Dietitians in public health equity-focused work. Antigonish, NS: NCCDH, St. Francis Xavier University.