In a striking revelation that challenges the nutritional integrity expected within healthcare environments, a recent survey conducted by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) in partnership with Morning Consult reveals growing public resistance to the availability of fast food in hospitals. Despite hospitals being bastions of health promotion and disease prevention, fast-food chains such as Chick-fil-A have established a notable presence in medical institutions nationwide. The poll, carried out in early July 2025 among over two thousand American adults, exposes a public consensus that hospitals should dissociate themselves from fast food, emphasizing a collective preference for healthier dining options.
The survey posed a direct question to respondents regarding the appropriateness of selling fast food items—including fried chicken, cheeseburgers, and pizza—within hospital premises to patients, visitors, and staff. An overwhelming 52% of participants expressed opposition to fast food being available in these settings, underscoring the perceived contradiction between the unhealthy nature of these foods and the hospitals’ role in fostering wellness. Moreover, 57% opined that hospitals should refrain from profiting from fast food sales, reinforcing ethical concerns about institutional complicity in promoting foods detrimental to health outcomes.
Affirming the pervasive skepticism toward fast food, a striking 85% of respondents concurred that such products do not contribute to good health. This widespread public consciousness aligns with mounting scientific scrutiny surrounding the health implications of frequently consumed fast foods, especially those featuring poultry and processed meats. The Physicians Committee further illuminated this issue by documenting Chick-fil-A’s presence in at least twenty hospitals and medical centers across the United States, a statistic drawn directly from the company’s own website. This infiltration of fast food into healthcare settings raises pressing questions about institutional priorities and the message conveyed to patients.
Delving into the nutritional science, Anna Herby, DHSc, RD, CDCES and nutrition education specialist at the Physicians Committee, highlights a critical misconception: while chicken is often touted as a healthier alternative to red meat, its impact on cholesterol levels can be comparably adverse. Contemporary studies indicate that the consumption of chicken, particularly in fried form, can contribute significantly to elevated cholesterol, thereby increasing the risk for cardiovascular diseases. Dr. Herby advocates for the substitution of animal proteins with plant-based options such as chickpeas, emphasizing their role in mitigating chronic disease progression, and thereby enhancing overall health outcomes in hospital populations.
The link between poultry consumption and cancer risk has also been increasingly substantiated. A recent epidemiological study, published earlier in 2025, quantified the association between weekly intake of approximately 300 grams of poultry and gastrointestinal cancer incidence, as well as all-cause mortality. This biomarker of risk aligns with prior meta-analyses revealing that frequent consumption of fried chicken correlates with a 12-13% elevated risk in mortality rates, including fatalities from heart disease, emphasizing the metabolic and inflammatory consequences of high-fat, processed poultry dishes.
Institutional endorsements of health-promoting dining alternatives have gained traction over the years, culminating in the American Medical Association’s 2017 resolution advocating for the removal of processed meats, such as chicken nuggets, from hospital menus. This resolution encapsulates a growing recognition within the medical community of the powerful role that dietary interventions play in patient recovery and the prevention of disease exacerbation. The move toward plant-based meals mirrors advances in nutritional epidemiology demonstrating their efficacy in lowering cholesterol, reducing inflammation, and improving patient prognosis.
Hospitals are uniquely positioned to lead by example, embracing menus rich in cholesterol-free items, low saturated fat content, and abundant in fiber-rich vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and fruits. These foods, well-documented in scientific literature, provide critical nutrients that modulate risk factors for chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancer. Dr. Herby underscores the importance of healthcare facilities acting as centers of health promotion, where the alignment of patient care extends beyond medical interventions to encompass nutritional education and supportive food environments.
Recognizing the challenges faced by healthcare providers in transitioning to healthier food environments, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine has developed the Healthy Hospital Program, a comprehensive initiative designed to facilitate the implementation of plant-based menu options. This program offers hospitals free access to nutrition education materials, patient-focused recipes, and strategies to engage patients and staff in adopting sustainable dietary habits. The program reflects an evidence-based approach, drawing on extensive clinical trial data and dietary guidelines that encourage plant-forward eating patterns for optimal health outcomes.
The intersection of public opinion, scientific evidence, and healthcare policy creates a compelling narrative demanding reevaluation of current food offerings in hospitals. The reported presence of fast food within medical institutions not only undermines public health messaging but also risks exacerbating the very conditions hospitals aim to treat and prevent. Studies have demonstrated directly that dietary habits influence inpatient recovery trajectories, with plant-based diets enhancing immune function and reducing inflammation, potentially shortening hospital stays and improving long-term health.
Fast food’s prevalence in hospitals also brings forward ethical considerations related to institutional responsibility and profit motives. Hospitals profiting from the sale of foods known to contribute to chronic illnesses creates a conflict of interest that may erode public trust. The PCRM poll’s finding that a majority opposes hospitals deriving income from fast food sales highlights an urgent call for transparency and policy reform. Healthcare institutions must reconcile their commercial activities with their mission to improve community health.
Further compounding concerns about fast food in hospitals is the role of food marketing and accessibility. The ready availability of fast food in medical settings can inadvertently normalize unhealthy eating behaviors among vulnerable groups, including patients with chronic diseases, visitors seeking convenience, and staff whose long shifts may limit meal options. The psychological and environmental cues associated with food choice underscore the necessity for hospitals to curate food environments that encourage nutritious, wholesome options consistent with therapeutic goals.
As the healthcare industry grapples with rising rates of diet-related chronic diseases, the strategic elimination of fast food from hospital premises and the promotion of evidence-based, plant-centered nutrition become imperative. The Physicians Committee’s findings serve not only as a call to action for hospital administrators but also as an impetus for broader societal change, leveraging scientific research to reshape foodscapes within spaces dedicated to healing.
In conclusion, the PCRM’s survey represents a critical intersection of public health advocacy, scientific rigor, and institutional accountability. The rejection of fast food in hospitals by a majority of Americans resonates with a growing body of evidence linking diet to disease prevention and recovery. Hospitals, as pillars of health and wellness, must pivot towards serving foods that truly nourish, thereby reinforcing their role not just as places of treatment, but as environments fostering lifelong health.
Subject of Research: Health impacts of fast food availability in hospitals and promotion of plant-based diets for disease prevention.
Article Title: Public Opinion Rejects Fast Food in Hospitals Amid Growing Evidence of Health Risks
News Publication Date: July 2025
Web References:
- https://pcrm.widen.net/s/fg2j9lpv75/pcrm_hospital-fast-food-poll_7.11.25
- https://pcrm.widen.net/s/b7tzwphrqr/chick-fil-a-is-located-in-20-hospitals-and-medical-centers—a-report-from-the-physicians-committee-for-responsible-medicine
- https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/17/8/1370
- https://www.bmj.com/content/364/bmj.k5420
- https://policysearch.ama-assn.org/policyfinder/detail/Healthy%2520Food%2520Options%2520in%2520Hospitals%2520H-150.949?uri=/AMADoc/HOD.xml-0-627.xml
- https://pcrm.org/HealthyHospitalProgram
References:
- Study linking poultry consumption to increased gastrointestinal cancer risk and mortality, Nutrients, 2025
- BMJ study on fried chicken consumption and mortality risks, BMJ, 2019
- AMA resolution on healthy food options in hospitals, 2017
Keywords: Hospitals, Fast Food, Plant-Based Diet, Public Health, Chronic Disease Prevention, Nutrition Policy, Poultry Consumption, Cardiovascular Risk, Cancer Risk, Healthcare Food Environments
