In the 1970s, mounting evidence of hunger and malnutrition in the United States led to increased funding for human nutrition research by the Federal Government. Since 1983, human nutrition research has been coordinated by the Interagency Committee on Human Nutrition Research (ICHNR). The ICHNR is co-chaired by the USDA and the DHHS and includes representatives from eight other federal departments and agencies as well as the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. The ICHRN has been instrumental in strengthening procedures for the monitoring of the nutritional status of the US population and improving the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.