OAC Outreach |
Who we are... |
During a meeting of legislators, a congressperson asked the question – “Who represents patients who are affected by obesity?” It was then that a legislator pointed out a serious need – a group whose only focus is on those affected by obesity. With this, the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) was born with the goal of building a national coalition of those who are living with and/or affected by obesity. The OAC is an IRS registered non profit education and advocacy organization dedicated to serving the individuals most affected by obesity – patients! It is not only the OAC’s goal to represent patients, but to also provide balanced and comprehensive obesity educational materials and encourage and teach active advocacy participation. |
What we do... |
The OAC is a non profit patient-based organization that distributes educational materials and advocacy tools. It is the OAC's belief that in order for patients to become effective advocates, they must first be educated about the disease, its causes,treatments and complications. Education: The OAC provides a variety of educational patient-friendly materials for those affected by obesity, morbid obesity and childhood obesity. Located under the "Resources" section of the OAC Web site, visitors can find useful brochures discussing obesity, its treatments, insurance topics and much more. In addition, they also have access to "OAC News" - the OAC's quarterly educational publication, the Obesity Action Alert - the OAC's E-newsletter, support group tools and much more. All of the OAC's materials are available FREE-OF-CHARGE. To view all of the OAC's resources and to order materials, please click here. Advocacy: As obesity is a complex disease, patients often experience a wide variety of other health conditions (co-morbidities), which include diabetes, heart disease, cancer, sleep apnea and many more. Adding to the challenge, patients are often denied access to much needed medical treatment (such as medically managed weight-loss or bariatric surgery) as some payors and employers still do not recognize obesity and morbid obesity as a disease. The OAC encourages patients to become advocates for change. To assist patients in accomplishing this change, the OAC provides many advocacy-related resources for patients to utilize. Located under the "Advocacy" section of the OAC Web site, visitors have the ability to view national and state level issues that may affect them, OAC Public Policy Statements, Facts and Figures on obesity and much more. Those wanting to become effective advocates also have access to the OAC's guide on advocating, titled Your Voice Makes A Difference. A Guide On How You Can Help Fellow Patients Affected By Obesity. Together, education and advocacy are an incredible combination of tools that can help change the obesity community and proactively promote access to safe and effective treatment options for those affected by obesity and morbid obesity. |
Educational Outreach |
The OAC continually attends national and state level meetings/conventions to build awareness of the obesity community, educate those affected by obesity, distribute materials to healthcare professionals and much more.
Some of the conferences/meetings that the OAC attends annually are as follows:
The OAC welcomes the opportunity to exhibit at national and state-based events. If you would like an OAC representative to exhibit at your organization's meeting/conference, support group or event, please contact the National Office at (800) 717-3117 or info@obesityaction.org. In addition, if you would like to order OAC materials to distribute at your event FREE-OF-CHARGE, please click here. |
Speakers Bureau |
The OAC is currently constructed of a National Board of Directors, Advisory Board and Staff to operate the National Office located in Tampa, Fla. The OAC welcomes the opportunity to speak/present at national and state-based events. If you would like an OAC representative to attend, speak or exhibit at your organization's meeting/conference, support group or event, please contact the National Office at (800) 717-3117 or info@obesityaction.org. In addition, if you would like to Learn about the OAC, you may also download an OAC Introductory Presentation, which discusses the OAC and its educational and advocacy efforts in more detail. To order OAC materials to distribute at your event, please click here. |
Annual Reports |
2006 OAC Annual Report 2005 OAC Annual Report |
