Letter From The Director
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Greetings!
Health reform is the hot topic dominating the policy landscape these days. Key leaders in Congress and their staff have been working tirelessly to develop health reform legislation - particularly: Sen. Baucus and the Committee on Finance; Sen. Kennedy and the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee; Rep. Waxman and the Energy and Commerce Committee; and Rep. Rangel and the Committee of Ways and Means. And with key health posts from HHS Secretary, Kathleen Sebelius, to White House Office of Health Reform head, Nancy-Ann DeParle, in place, we are beginning to see the first steps in our nation's efforts towards a potentially more effective, efficient health care system.
Now is a critical time for these key policymakers to truly understand the costly implications and serious health complications of obesity - including diabetes and heart disease.
And that's really where the Alliance can help. Earlier this month, Alliance Policy Advisor, Morgan Downey, joined me to lead two staff briefings on the Hill - one for Senate and another for House staff - to highlight the connection between the rise in obesity and related chronic diseases and America's unsustainable health care costs.
We were honored to have internationally known obesity expert, Dr. Youfa Wang, of Johns Hopkins University, join us for these briefings. Dr. Wang highlighted the projected future prevalence of obesity in America and the expected burden on the health care system.
Research like Dr. Wang's underscores the need for tools that can help change America's course on obesity. It was interesting to see how the STOP Obesity Alliance's research and tools, like the Obesity GPS and policy recommendations could serve as a resource for staff when considering legislation that can effectively address obesity and, in turn, reduce associated costs and related chronic diseases. We're looking forward to continuing these expert briefing sessions for Hill staff that can help to shed light on the problems - as well as provide some possible ways to overcome them.
There's no doubt that the road to true health reform will require a sustained, long-term effort involving many participants. Interestingly, this is the same way we would describe the path to preventing and overcoming obesity. The challenge - and the opportunity - is to ensure that we recognize just how intertwined these two goals are and to then march against them at the same time.
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Sincerely,
Christine C. Ferguson, JD
Director, STOP Obesity Alliance
Research Professor
School of Public Health and Health Services
Department of Health Policy
The George Washington University |
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Alliance & Member News
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STOP Obesity Alliance blog is "Weighing In" on the Proposed Link between Swine Flu and Obesity
STOP Obesity Alliance Director to Chair 4th Annual Obesity CongressOn the heels of chairing the Obesity, Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome Management Track at this month's Chronic Care and Prevention Congress, Christine Ferguson, has been asked to serve as the chairperson of the 4th Annual Obesity Congress, which will take place September 30 - October 2 in Washington, D.C. This will be Ms. Ferguson's second year as chairperson for this conference which gathers a diverse set of leaders from the private and public sectors to discuss both the implications of obesity along with solutions to help employers and providers to improve the health, productivity and life style of individuals. For more information on these World Congress events, please click here.
AHIP Institute Addresses Obesity, WellnessThe focus of the 2009 AHIP Institute is on real solutions for affordable, accessible, and quality health care for all Americans. Speakers will address global issues in health and health care facing our nation, including issues around prevention, wellness, and obesity. The conference is being held June 3-5 in San Diego and more details can be found here.
American Heart Association Advocates Urge Congress to Pass Meaningful Health Reform
Many lawmakers on Capitol Hill are pledging to pass meaningful health care reform and increase funding for research and prevention legislation as a result of the American Heart Association's Congressional Lobby Day -- You're the Cure on the Hill. Nearly 500 heart and stroke survivors from across the country gathered in Washington, D.C. on April 21 to ask members of Congress to step-up the fight against heart disease and stroke, our nation's No. 1 and No. 3 killers. Read more about the outcomes from this event on the Alliance's blog, "Weighing In", click here.
Reality Coalition Applauds FDA for Public Health Warning Against Use of 14 Hydroxycut Dietary Supplements
The Reality Coalition - a group of experts and organizations on overweight and obesity - applauds the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) swift action warning consumers about the serious health risks associated with the use of 14 dietary supplements sold under the Hydroxycut brand name. For more information, please click here.
Diabetes Experts Issue New Recommendations for Inpatient Glycemic Control New recommendations released today by a consensus group of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) are calling for major changes in the way health care professionals treat hospitalized patients with high blood glucose (sugar) levels. For more information, please click here.
AMGA To Host 4th Annual Capitol Hill Day
American Medical Group Association's 4th Annual Capitol Hill Day on June 17-18 at the Washington Court Hotel provides participants with a chance to interact with their elected officials in Washington and advocate for medical groups and organized systems of care. For more information on the event, please click here.
ACSM Releases American Fitness Index to Rank 50 Largest Metro Areas on Health and Community FitnessThe Washington, D.C., metro area is the fittest of America's 50 most populous metropolitan areas according to the American College of Sports Medicine's (ACSM) American Fitness Index(TM) (AFI). ACSM unveiled the 2009 rankings and released the AFI data report, "Health and Community Fitness Status of the 50 Largest Metropolitan Areas," during the organization's Annual Meeting in Seattle this week. The report is produced in partnership with the WellPoint Foundation. To learn more about the AFI, please click here.
ADA Releases Position Paper on Obesity, Reproduction and Pregnancy Outcomes
Diet and nutrition counseling for virtually all overweight and obese women of childbearing age can reduce health risks associated with excess weight for mothers and children alike, according to a newly released position paper from the American Dietetic Association and the American Society of Nutrition. The paper, published in the May issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, outlines the stance that all overweight and obese women of reproductive age should receive counseling prior to pregnancy, during pregnancy and in the interconceptional period on the roles of diet and physical activity in reproductive health. Read more about the paper, here. |
News Round-Up
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Massachusetts Mandates Calorie-Count Menus
Finding Dulcinea
In an effort to help make consumers aware of how many calories they are consuming, Massachusetts will require chain restaurants to post calorie counts on menus by November 2010. Massachusetts' Publich Health Council approved the new regulation, and at least 5,300 restaurants will be affected by this change.
Should Congress Tax Soda Pop to Pay for Health Care?
May 14, 2009
Kansas City StarLawmakers may soon ponder the possibility of a federal excise tax on soda and other sugar-laden drinks to help pay for President Obama's new health care plan. The thinking, in part, is that, as with smoking, those who sell soda and those who consume soda ought to help pay for the cost of health care associated with the product. Research in 2004 showed how soft drink consumption rose in the U.S. along with obesity (as other aspects of diet eroded). Women who drink two or more cans of soda per day are nearly twice as likely to show early signs of kidney disease. The acid in many soft drinks can also erode tooth enamel. A study of 9,000 people reported in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association in 2007 found those who drank just one soft drink daily - diet or regular - showed increased risk factors for heart disease.
UNC Asheville Receives Grant for Childhood Obesity, Wellness Programs
May 13, 2009
Robert Wood Johnson FoundationThe Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) Foundation, the philanthropic arm of health insurer Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, has awarded a three-year, $3-million grant to the University of North Carolina (UNC) Asheville for the facility's North Carolina Center for Health and Wellness. Granted through the foundation's Healthy Active Communities focus area, the funding will support the expansion of the center's focus areas of childhood obesity, worksite wellness and healthy aging. Employers Show President How Better Health Improves Bottom LineMay 13, 2009
HealthLeaders Media
On the heels of meeting with major healthcare providers the day before, President Barack Obama met with several employers at the White House to discuss ideas that are being adopted in the workplace to improve employee health and to hold the rising healthcare costs. These best practices could provide new structure to federal healthcare reform efforts and to improving Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement strategies, he said.
Barbour Signs Mississippi Worker Obesity Law
April 28, 2009
The Clarion-Ledger
Gov. Haley Barbour has signed House Bill 1530 into law, which will provide medical treatment for state and school employees affected by obesity and morbid obesity. The law will provide Mississippi state employees with tools to address weight, improve quality of health and life and lower the costs of long-term healthcare.
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| The Strategies to Overcome & Prevent Obesity Alliance is sponsored by sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC. |
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