Lawmakers are calling for legislation to advocate healthier eating habits. That's as expenses borne by Taiwan's national health insurance program rise by five percent every year.
Lawmakers say that people should not just rely on medicine and vaccines to keep them from getting sick. In fact, they say that just being more mindful of nutrition can have a significant impact on personal health.
To promote better nutrition, they are proposing an amendment called "The Three Laws of Nutrition". They say that Japan and Korea have already seen success with similar policies.
The founder of Taiwan's Nutrition Society, Huang Ching-chen, says that health authorities have been warning about the need for a balanced diet for 40 years. She says she's disappointed to see the issue has only grown since then.
Huang says that hypertension and obesity have a significant effect on the body's ability to fight off diseases like COVID-19. She says cutting down on excess calories and fat will not only improve immune system function but also the financial situation of the national health insurance program.