The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC), in partnership with the American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM) Foundation, has announced the release of Commit to Care: A Patient and Health Care Professional Promise, a new resource designed to strengthen communication, trust and shared decision-making in obesity care.

Conversations about weight and health are often influenced by stigma rather than science. Assumptions and misconceptions can undermine trust and make it difficult to build productive patient-clinician relationships.

Commit to Care was developed to help address that challenge. The document outlines mutual expectations that support compassionate, evidence-based treatment and recognizes obesity as a chronic disease that requires ongoing, collaborative care. Rather than placing responsibility on one side of the exam room, this resource reinforces that meaningful progress happens when both patients and healthcare professionals commit to working together.

Why This Resource Matters
Although obesity is a chronic disease, many patients report clinical encounters that feel brief or dismissive. Commit to Care establishes shared expectations so a medical visit becomes a partnership rather than a one-sided conversation.

From the patient perspective, the document affirms expectations for:

  • Respectful, stigma-free treatment
  • Individualized care that acknowledges unique health needs
  • Access to appropriate treatment options
  • Open, honest communication

From the health care professional perspective, it reinforces the importance of:

  • Listening without assumptions
  • Using evidence-based standards of care
  • Discussing the full spectrum of treatment approaches — including lifestyle therapy, medications, procedures and surgery
  • Partnering with patients to create sustainable, long-term health plans

By clearly outlining these commitments, the document aims to help ensure that patients and health care professionals enter appointments with aligned expectations rooted in respect and collaboration.

Improving the Care Environment
The resource also highlights practical considerations within health care settings. It encourages healthcare professionals to evaluate the language used in clinical interactions, the accessibility of equipment and spaces and the overall patient experience for individuals of all body sizes. Respectful care begins with listening, and sustainable health goals are best achieved through long-term partnership. The Commit to Care Promise can be viewed and downloaded here: https://bit.ly/3OYTRWS 

Supporting Conversations That Matter
In addition to the document, the initiative connects individuals to OAC education and engagement tools, including the Your Weight Matters Challenge. These resources offer conversation starters and guidance to help patients speak with health care professionals about treatment and support options.

OAC and the ABOM Foundation encourage patients, clinicians and advocates to review and share the resource as part of broader efforts to improve access to compassionate, evidence-based obesity care nationwide.