Bridging Agronomy and Public Health: The Role of Crop Quality in Nutritional Security

Abstract

Aim: This review investigates the critical intersection between agronomy and public health, with a specific focus on how the nutritional quality of staple crops influences dietary health outcomes and contributes to nutritional security in the United States. Study Design: The article employs a multidisciplinary review approach, analyzing recent literature on crop science, nutrient density, and public health interventions, particularly in underserved U.S. communities affected by food insecurity and chronic health disparities. Methodology: A systematic literature review was conducted using peer-reviewed sources published between 2020 and 2025, accessed from databases such as Google Scholar, Scopus, ScienceDirect and Web of Science. Studies were selected based on relevance to crop nutrient composition, food policy, and public health impacts. Results: Findings reveal that conventional agricultural models largely driven by yield maximization often compromise crop nutrient density, thereby perpetuating micronutrient deficiencies and exacerbating chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension in low-income populations. Innovations such as biofortification, precision farming, and health-aligned food policy demonstrate potential in addressing these nutritional gaps, though they remain underutilized in current systems. Conclusions: There is a pressing need to reorient agricultural priorities toward nutrition-sensitive approaches that integrate public health goals. Bridging the gap between crop science and health policy can support the development of food systems that not only provide caloric sustenance but also promote long-term wellness, particularly in vulnerable communities. Future research and policymaking must embrace this interdisciplinary framework to achieve equitable nutritional security.