This September, Virgin HealthMiles, in partnership with the STOP Obesity Alliance, will sponsor the first annual National Employee Wellness Month to raise awareness about the benefits of workplace wellness and educate business leaders and employees about how they can take steps to create healthier and more physically active workplace communities.  To read more about this initiative, click here.

 

STOP Obesity Alliance Director to Chair The World Health Congress 4th Annual Obesity Congress
Join the STOP Obesity Alliance Chairperson, Christine Ferguson, at The World Health Congress 4th Annual Obesity Congress from Sept. 30 - Oct. 2 at the Westin Alexandria Hotel in Alexandria, V.A.  Key Washington insiders, industry leading wellness advocates and world renowned employer groups will discuss combating the economic burden of obesity through wellness initiatives and behavioral modification. Points of conversation will include understanding how health reform is a key driver in increasing obesity awareness and enabling higher quality care, developing health plan initiatives to expand coverage and incentivize reimbursements for early interventions and obesity treatments, and discovering ways to align business and public politics to support healthy choices as the "default" option. For more information please click here. 

 

STOP Obesity Alliance Hosts Primary Care Roundtable
The STOP Obesity Alliance hosted a roundtable on adult primary care treatment and management of obesity on August 5 at The George Washington University.  Attendees included leading health experts, academics and healthcare providers from a select group of prestigious organizations including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Harvard University, Geisinger Health System, Holston Medical Group, CalorieKing Wellness Solutions, Inc., University of Maryland, Society for Women's Health Research, University of Vermont and several Alliance Steering Committee and Associate Member organizations. 

Join America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), along with senior health plan executives, policymakers, and federal and state representatives for five days of updates, analyses and discussion on the leading issues for health plans participating in Medicare and Medicaid.  Conference participants will learn best practices and gain insights about specific issues including Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) priorities for the Medicare Advantage and Part D programs and future directions for Medicaid.  The conferences will be held Sept. 13 - 17 in Washington, D.C. at the Capital Hilton.  Click here for more information or to register for the conferences.

AADE 36th Annual Meeting Materials Now Online
Additional information and materials from American Association of Diabetes Educators' (AADE) 36th annual meeting, "Exploring New Dimensions: State of the Art Education for Diabetes Care Professionals," are now available online.  Click here to search for materials or read articles on the events in the AADE Show Daily.  

 

ASBP to Host Obesity & Associated Conditions Symposium in October 
The American Society of Bariatric Physicians (ASBP) will hold its 59th Annual Obesity & Associated Conditions Symposium in Orange County, C.A., Oct. 6-10. The symposium will offer several courses related to bariatric surgery, nutritional diets, pathophysiology of obesity, medical treatments, and weight management. You can find more information about the symposium and registration information here.

DMAA: The Care Continuum Alliance to Host Annual Population Health Forum
Now in its 11th year, The Forum, DMAA: The Care Continuum Alliance's annual meeting, will be held Sept. 21-22 in San Diego, C.A., and will be focused on innovative population health management strategies.  Featured attendees include health plans, physicians and hospitals, health information technology innovators, disease management and population health improvement organizations, wellness companies, disease management support firms, pharmaceutical manufacturers and pharmacy benefit managers.  Keynote speakers include Mark McClellan, M.D., Ph.D., Director, Engelberg Center for Health Care Reform, The Brookings Institution and Michael Barry, M.D., Medical Director, John D. Stoeckle Center for Primary Care Innovation, Massachusetts General Hospital.  Click here for more information.

NBGH to Host National Conference on Health, Productivity and Human Capital
National Business Group on Health (NBGH) will host its 23rd National Conference on Health, Productivity and Human Capital on Oct. 13-15 in Philadelphia. This year's theme is "Optimizing Productivity: Leading With a Culture of Health."  Attendees will learn about new practical science, research and evidence-based solutions benefiting employers including best practices focused on managing health and productivity in a challenging economy; quantifying the effects of medical treatment on absence management and program design; health and productivity's role in the global marketplace; and other important topics.  Click here for more information.  
 
OAC President Details Current Initiatives for Weight Loss Surgery Channel
In an August 29 interview for Weight Loss Surgery Channel, Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) President Joe Nadglowski, Jr. provides background on the formation of OAC and its goal to serve as a unified voice for those who are struggling with their weight and to educate and advocate on behalf of those affected by obesity and morbid obesity.  Nadglowski also outlined recent legislative wins including a new Mississippi policy that will allow state employees to have paid access to weight-loss operations and a Texas policy that includes a bariatric surgery benefit in the state employee fund.  Nadglowski also highlights upcoming OAC efforts including the new "Make a Footprint" campaign, designed to encourage increased action and discussion around obesity and public policy.  To watch the interview, click here.