As we close out the final days of 2024, we at the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) are taking a moment to reflect on a year filled with milestones and progress in advancing education, advocacy and support for individuals affected by obesity. This year’s work has not only built on past successes but also positioned us
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A Rare Diagnosis OAC Member Rick Hodgkins has lived with hypothalamic obesity (HyOb) for most of his life—a rare medical condition caused by damage or dysfunction to the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that regulates hunger and energy balance. For Rick, this condition has meant grappling with weight bias and stigma at nearly every
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Under current law, Medicare’s prescription drug benefit (Part D) excludes “agents when used for anorexia, weight loss, or weight gain”. This exclusion has prevented Medicare from covering obesity medications and has allowed Medicaid plans to opt out of providing such coverage. For more than a decade, the OAC has pursued both legislative and regulatory pathways
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Obesity affects everyone differently, but for women, the impact can be more severe, as they face higher risks for related physical and mental health problems. A 2021 study in the Journal of Mid-Life Health found that women with obesity are twice as likely to die from related health issues compared to men with excess weight.
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