CAST papers are the foundation of CAST’s science communication work. Developed by expert-led task forces, these peer-reviewed publications translate agricultural science into trusted insights that inform policy, guide public understanding, and fuel CAST programs, dialogues, and educational initiatives.
Pollinators are responsible for about 1/3 of our human diet by volume. Although honey bees are one of nearly 20,000 bee species, they support more than $19B in food and crop production in the United States each year. A serious decline in honey bee health has significant implications for agriculture. This paper provides a summary of the scientific issues, current research, and recommendations related to bee health, as well as opportunities for beekeepers, land managers, crop producers, homeowners, and policymakers to engage in helping understand and address the problems to ultimately restore healthy populations of honey bees and other pollinators.