Survey Shows Nearly 70% of U.S. Hospitals Affiliated With Medical Schools Host a Fast-Food Restaurant; Chick-fil-A, McDonald’s Among Most Common

WASHINGTON, D.C.—A new survey by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine reveals that 69.2% of U.S. hospitals affiliated with a medical school host at least one fast-food restaurant. The five most common fast-food restaurants located in hospitals were Starbucks, Subway, Chick-fil-A, Au Bon Pain, and McDonald’s.

“Making fast food like cheeseburgers and fried chicken available in hospitals is hazardous to the health of patients, visitors, and staff,” says Zeeshan Ali, PhD, the lead author of the paper and a nutrition program specialist with the Physicians Committee. “Hospitals are places of healing, and any food served in hospitals should help reinforce that message with plenty of healthful meals focused on fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans.”

To determine the prevalence and type of fast-food outlets at medical-school-affiliated hospitals, the Physicians Committee invited medical students at 192 medical and osteopathic schools to complete surveys on fast-food restaurants affiliated with their main teaching hospital or medical centers. A total of 255 individual completed surveys were received from 146 schools, showing that 101 schools, 69.2%, reportedly hosted at least one fast-food restaurant.

In addition to Chick-fil-A and McDonald’s, Burger King, KFC, Pizza Hut, and Wendy’s were also among the 38 fast-food restaurant chains located in the hospitals.

Most students surveyed did not think fast-food restaurants should be located in hospitals. More than half strongly or somewhat disagreed with the statement, “It is acceptable for fast-food restaurants to be in hospitals.”

“Having fast food restaurants inside hospitals is a prescription for poor health and undermines health from within,” says Roxanne Becker, MBChB, DipIBLM, a co-author of the paper and doctor with the Physicians Committee. “Hospitals should be setting the standard when it comes to good nutrition and should house restaurants that reinforce the message that foods that are low in saturated fat, cholesterol-free, and high in fiber are the healthiest options for patients, staff, and visitors.”

Research shows that eating fast food increases the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Eating fast food four times a week may increase heart disease risk by 80%, according to one study.

A study published in Pediatrics found that when there was a McDonald’s operating inside a hospital, parents and their children who were visiting the hospital as outpatients were more likely to purchase McDonald’s, and four times more likely to consume fast food the day of their appointment.

In 2017, the American Medical Association passed a resolution calling on health care facilities to improve the health of patients, staff, and visitors by: (a) providing a variety of healthy food, including plant-based meals, and meals that are low in saturated and trans fat, sodium, and added sugars; (b) eliminating processed meats from menus; and (c) providing and promoting healthy beverages.

The authors recommend that hospitals encourage fast-food chains to provide healthful menu options or that hospitals replace fast-food restaurants with others that provide healthful choices.

This study was designed to be an update to a 2006 study by Lenard I. Lesser that reported that 63% of U.S. medical schools were affiliated with a hospital that hosted a fast-food restaurant.