Understanding the Basics of Access to Care
Access should not be limited by a person’s size, weight or economic status. Access to care is not a complicated idea. It can mean different things for different people, but in the end, it is about people getting the help they need to treat obesity. Click here to download the PDF to learn more.
Advances in Treatment
The field of obesity medicine has grown greatly over the last decade. While we still have much to learn, our understanding of the biochemistry, physiology and behaviors that lead individuals to gaining weight has never been clearer. With these discoveries, new therapies have emerged to help individuals take control of their weight and improve their health.
We have new medicines that target specific parts of the body to help individuals control their appetite and cravings, leading to significant weight-loss. New technologies and improved ways of tracking progress have made bariatric surgery safer than it has ever been. Study, after study, after study has come out, showing that weight-loss, whether medical or surgical, improves your health, your quality of life and your life span.
Accessing Care
While we’ve made great strides in obesity treatment, the ability for people to access these life-changing treatments remains very limited. If anything, access to obesity treatments has become MORE restrictive over the last decade. We are seeing a disturbing trend across the country as employers and insurance companies completely exclude obesity management services and place significant barriers in front of individuals before they can use their insurance to help cover the cost of weight counseling, medications or surgery.
Resources to Advocate for Access
The OAC strives to increase access to care for people with obesity to help all individuals on their weight journey. To view the OAC’s Access to Care Resources and start learning how you can advocate for access, click here.