Letter From The Director
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Greetings!
As you may know, President Obama recently nominated Dr. Regina Benjamin to serve as Surgeon General of the United States. There is no question that Dr. Benjamin is an extremely accomplished professional, but rather than focus on her career qualifications, much of the current discussion on her nomination has focused on her weight. In fact, many are suggesting she is not qualified to be the nation's top doctor because she is obese.
In a recent article, Dr. Arthur Caplan of the University of Pennsylvania quoted an anonymous commenter on a news Web site as saying, "I refuse to let fat be socially acceptable ... The President should have known better and picked a doctor who could kick start the debate on fat not perpetuate it."
Comments like these only serve to further highlight the stigma that still exists against overweight and obese individuals. Despite the fact Dr. Benjamin reflects the majority of Americans (over two-thirds of us are overweight or obese), critics question her ability to serve as a role model for a nation that is also struggling with its weight.
From the beginning, the members of the STOP Obesity Alliance have understood the importance of combating stigma. In fact, one of the cornerstones of our policy recommendations is to cultivate a positive environment by promoting awareness and open discussion among health professionals, opinion leaders and role models.
On a personal note, I can truly understand how stigma impacts public officials. When I was appointed Commissioner of Public Health of Massachusetts, I weighed 100 pounds more than I weigh now. No one asked me questions about my weight or whether or not I was "fit" for the job. But I did ask them of myself. It shows how insidious the influence of stigma can be.
Until we can address stigma head on, it will continue to rear its ugly head where it does not belong.
We need to free Dr. Benjamin from this ridiculous debate. The answer, emphatically, is that she could be a great Surgeon General of the United States, both due to her professional experience and her ability to serve as a role model and an inspiration. She should be welcomed with open arms for her fantastic accomplishments. In return, I hope she will embrace the 66 percent of Americans who are overweight or obese, and help focus the health care community to address the needs of this population.
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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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Director of STOP Obesity Alliance Talks Weighty Issues in PoliticoIn a July 30 article in Politico, Christine Ferguson offered her insight on how current legislators have failed to address obesity in health reform. She notes, "the inability we have to address this issue head-on is because we're uncomfortable with the reason people are overweight." Ferguson, who is also a member of the faculty at the School of Public Health and Health Services at The George Washington University, notes that as a nation, we haven't come to grips with whether obesity is a person's own fault or a combination of factors. The article mentions the recent Health Affairs study that found medical spending averages $1,400 more a year for someone who is obese. To read the article, click here.
Health Leaders Speak Out on the $147 Billion Obesity PredicamentIn a recent issue of Roll Call, National Business Group on Health President Helen Darling, tells readers that because of the surging prices of obesity, any health care reform that does not address this costly issue will ultimately fail. Darling reports that obesity now costs employers $13 billion a year - and that level keeps rising, which puts a substantial burden on employers, especially those who pay for health benefits. She believes that an aggressive federal campaign to stem high rates of obesity would both improve the health of our citizens and also reduce health care spending. She then offers her own recommendations, including requiring transportation planners and making healthy foods more accessible. To read the full article click here.
Alliance Director Addresses Obesity and Health Reform at "Weight of the Nation" ConferenceAt the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) " Weight of the Nation" conference, Alliance Director Christine Ferguson, highlighted the need for policymakers to prioritize obesity in health reform during a panel discussion entitled "Improving Health Outcomes: Integrating Obesity Prevention in Health Reform." While praising the current proposals for their focus on prevention and wellness, she called for policymakers to bear in mind that two-thirds of Americans are already overweight or obese, stressing also that policymakers should be aware of the relationship between overweight and obesity and chronic diseases. She concluded by reminding the audience that health reform must help Americans do three things: get well, stay well and prevent debilitating chronic disease. AADE to Host 36th Annual Meeting & ExhibitionThe American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) will host its annual meeting August 5-8, 2009, in Atlanta, G.A. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about industry trends, explore new techniques to establish program recognition, maximize reimbursement and increase patient referrals, and take part in hands-on demonstrations. Click here for more information or to register.
ADA Names David M. Kendall, M.D., as Organization's New Chief Scientific and Medical Officer
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) announced earlier this month that David M. Kendall, M.D., has been named Chief Scientific and Medical Officer. Dr. Kendall previously served as Medical Director and Chief of Clinical and Professional Services at the International Diabetes Center in Minneapolis, M.N., and succeeds Richard A. Kahn, Ph.D., who retired from the Association on June 30, 2009. Click here to read more.
AHIP to Host 2009 Medicare & Medicaid ConferencesAmerica's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) will host its annual Medicare and Medicaid Conferences September 13-17, 2009. Senior health plan executives, policymakers and federal and state representatives will discuss, analyze and update participants on the leading issues for health plans participating in Medicare and Medicaid. The forum allows health insurance plans to share experiences, practices and insights. It will take place at the Capital Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C. For more information or to register for the conference, please click here.
Campaign to End Obesity Hosted Second Annual Breakfast with ChampionsOn July 22, 2009, the Campaign to End Obesity held its 2nd annual "Breakfast with Champions" to honor Members of Congress who have shown outstanding commitment to ending the obesity epidemic. This year's honorees included Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC), Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), Representative Mary Bono Mack (R-CA), Representative Kay Granger (R-TX) and Representative Ron Kind (D-WI). Click here to read more about the event.
DMAA to Host 11th The Forum Annual ConferenceThe annual meeting of DMAA: The Care Continuum Alliance, " The Forum," will be held September 21-22, 2009, in San Diego. This meeting allows a range of professionals from health plans, physicians and hospitals, health information technology innovators and disease management organizations to learn more about current population health improvement initiatives and education. Keynote speakers for the meeting include Mark B. McClellan, M.D., Ph.D., Director, Engelberg Center for Health Care Reform; Michael J. Barry, M.D., Medical Director, John D. Stoeckle, Center for Primary Care Innovation, Massachusetts General Hospital; and David K. Nace, M.D., Co-chair, Patient Centered Primary Care Collaborative Center for e-Health Information Adoption and Exchange. To learn more or to register for the event, click here.
ADA Launches My Health AdvisorThe American Diabetes Association has launched " My Health Advisor," an online health calculator that can determine risk for Type 2 Diabetes. The tool asks for specific health information such as family history, lifestyle choices and access to health care - then outlines a personal action plan with simple lifestyle changes that can help avert the chronic disease. The new online calculator is powered by Archimedes, a health modeling program, and was developed by the ADA's CheckUp America program. To view the tool, click here.
STOP Obesity Alliance Joins TwitterThe STOP Obesity Alliance will begin posting periodic "tweets" about Alliance events and outputs including new policy recommendations and research, speeches given by Alliance leadership, Alliance Member news, and pertinent obesity and chronic disease related news. To follow us on Twitter, log-on to www.twitter.com/STOPObesity or visit our Web site and click on the link on the left-hand side of the home page. |
News Round-Up
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Medical spending on conditions associated with obesity has doubled in the past decade and is estimated to have reached an annual rate of $147 billion in 2008, say researchers in a new study published by Health Affairs. The study was presented at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's "Weight of the Nation" conference, where the CDC issued 24 new recommendations on how communities can fight back against obesity.
Weight-Loss Enzyme Identified
July 21, 2009
U.S. News & World Report
Reducing levels of a brain enzyme may curb appetite and boost energy, thereby helping people to control their weight, says a new study. Prolylcarboxypeptidase regulates the alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormonea body chemical that reduces hunger while revving up the body's energy levels. If PRCP enzyme is blocked, alpha-MSH levels stay high and keep appetite in check.
New Book Examines Weighty Issue
July 17, 2009
Medical News Today
UC Davis nutritionists Judith Stern and Alexandra Kazaks published a book called "Obesity," a thoughtful overview of the science and sociology of weight management. The authors wrote the book to answer the common questions related to obesity, examining why people gain weight, why they succeed or fail in their attempts to lose weight and who bears the responsibility.
Obese Exposed as Swine Flu Collides With Fat EpidemicJuly 10, 2009
Bloomberg News
An unexpected characteristic has emerged among many swine flu victims who become severely ill: They are fat. Doctors tracking the pandemic say they see a pattern in hospital reports from Glasgow to Melbourne and from Santiago to New York. People infected with the bug who have a body mass index greater than 40, deemed morbidly obese, suffer respiratory complications that are harder to treat and can be fatal. For more information on this topic, click here to read the STOP Obesity Alliance's analysis on the link between swine flu and obesity.
Climbing Obesity Rates Concern Researchers
July 7, 2009
Food Consumer
As economic experts scramble to assess the damage from the recent downturn in the economy, a new report claims our financial woes are at least partially responsible for a disturbing trend: rising obesity rates. Obesity is typically viewed as a sign of prosperity; the more choices a person is exposed to, the more likely he or she will consume them, if money is no object. However, some researchers believe that economic lack can lead to unhealthy eating habits, especially among children. |
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The Strategies to Overcome and Prevent (STOP) Obesity Alliance receives funding from its sponsors, sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC, founding sponsor, and Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc., supporting sponsor. |
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