JOLIN JAMESRENÉ, KWON MINSOO, BROCK ELIZABETH, CHEN JONATHAN, KOKAN AISHA, MURDOCK RYAN, STANFORD FATIMACODY. Policy Interventions to Enhance Medical Care for People With Obesity in the United States-Challenges, Opportunities, and Future Directions.
Milbank Q 2024;
102:336-350. [PMID:
38332667 PMCID:
PMC11176406 DOI:
10.1111/1468-0009.12693]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Policy Points Health policymakers have insufficiently addressed care for people with obesity (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2) in the United States. Current federal policies targeting obesity medications reflect this unfortunate reality. We argue for a novel policy framework to increase access to effective obesity therapeutics and care, recognizing that, though prevention is critical, the epidemic proportions of obesity in the United States warrant immediate interventions to augment care. Reducing barriers to and improving the quality of existing anti-obesity medications, intensive behavioral therapy, weight management nutrition and dietary counseling, and bariatric surgery are critical. Moreover, to ensure continuity of care and patient-clinician trust, combating physician and broader weight stigma must represent a central component of any viable obesity care agenda.
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