SACRAMENTO, CALIF. — Monitoring shifts in food and nutrition, the Dairy Council of California identified a growing health gap in the United States as one of the top trends in 2025.

The council’s newly released “2025 Trends: Food and Nutrition Trends for Education and Health Professionals” pointed to four major trends currently influencing the future of nutrition, public health and food policy:

• The US health gap grows

• Culture and equity are prioritized in health interventions

• Women’s healthy aging in the spotlight

• Food and nutrition policy landscape evolves

“As an organization committed to advancing public health through nutrition education and advocacy, we believe these insights are essential for professionals striving to improve community well-being,” Dairy Council of California chief executive officer Amy DeLisio said. “The 2025 trends report underscores the need for collaborative, evidence-based solutions to create a healthier and more equitable future.”

The 2025 report addresses rising chronic disease rates, health inequities, culturally relevant nutrition strategies, supporting women’s health, regulatory shifts, sustainability efforts and other topics.

Regarding culturally relevant nutrition strategies, the report said dairy innovation can meet consumer needs. The report pointed to a “growing focus on lactose-free dairy products and the role they can play in dietary patterns for the approximately 30% of Latino, Black, Asian and Pacific Islander populations that report having lactose intolerance. Of these populations, more than two-thirds have never consumed lactose-free milk or dairy products, particularly baby boomers and Generation Xers.”

Funded by California dairy farmers and local milk processors, the Dairy Council of California noted that its trends report is reviewed by a committee of third-party experts from universities, research institutions, and community-based and industry organizations.

The complete report is available online on the Dairy Council of California’s website.