With changes in our food system over the past several decades, a growing area of research is exploring the intricate relationship between processed food intake and the increased risks for obesity, hypertension, cardiometabolic diseases, and other related diseases. This webinar will focus on the role of ultra-processed (UP) foods in contributing to poor health outcomes in the United States and particularly among communities experiencing differences in health outcomes (e.g., low socioeconomic status, rural communities, racial/ethnic minorities). Consumption of UP foods in these populations may be influenced by complex factors, including limited access to healthier alternatives and susceptibility to marketing tactics based on geographical location. The proposed seminar aims to foster a comprehensive dialogue by bringing together panelists with expertise, ranging from epidemiological research and clinical trials to policies in the United States.