Tufts Professor William Masters Discusses Food Affordability and Food Production Stability in the Age of Climate Denial

Tufts Professor William Masters Discusses Food Affordability and Food Production Stability in the Age of Climate Denial

From The Healthcare Policy Podcast ® Produced by David Introcaso by David Introcaso, Ph.D.

May 12, 2026 · 40 min

About this episode

Professor William Masters discusses the impact of climate change on food affordability and production stability.

To state the obvious nutrition is considered the cornerstone of public health, a, if not the, primary preventative measure against chronic disease. Nevertheless, the OBBBA cut SNAP funding by an estimated $187 billion; since the start of the pandemic food prices have increased by roughly 30%; and, going forward are at risk due to uncertain trade policy, global shocks including the ongoing war in Iran, water supply/access and widespread drought and other climate-related issues include the looming super El Nino event that is expected to disrupt planting cycles worldwide and breach thermal safety margins - causing most major crops to suffer further yield declines. Add to all this the questionable science behind the MAHA movement. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy information is at: https://nutrition.tufts.edu/ Prof Masters’ bio is at: https://as.tufts.edu/economics/people/faculty/william-masters This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thehealthcarepolicypodcast.com

People in this episode

Host: David Introcaso

Guest: William Masters

Topics covered

  • food affordability
  • food production stability
  • public health
  • climate change
  • nutrition
  • chronic disease prevention

Keywords

  • nutrition
  • public health
  • food prices
  • climate denial
  • chronic disease
  • trade policy
  • drought
  • El Nino

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, OBBBA

Products: SNAP

Places: Iran

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