Obesity
Obesity is one of the leading chronic diseases in the US, affecting more than 1 in 3 adults and serving as one of the biggest healthcare cost drivers. Scientific breakthroughs in understanding and treating the disease of obesity are offering hope and help to patients.   Â
- Case Study, Employee Resources, Final Report, Guidebook, Issue Brief, Placemat, Playbook, Toolkit, Vendor Engagement Template, Video
Obesity Resources
- Action Brief, Employee Resources, Issue Brief
Recent advancements in the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of kidney disease have created an unprecedented opportunity for employers and other plan sponsors to intervene earlier to delay or prevent progression […]
Recent advancements in the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of kidney disease have created an unprecedented opportunity for employers and other plan sponsors to intervene earlier to delay or prevent progression […]
The Pulse of the Purchaser study gauges concerns and approaches of employers to address the workforce environment; whole person health, equity, women’s health, mental health and obesity management; fiduciary perspectives; pharmaceutical […]
National Obesity Advisory Council Position Statement & Recommendations for Employers.
The Pulse of the Purchaser study gauges concerns and approaches of employers to address the workforce environment; whole person health, equity, women’s health, mental health and obesity management; fiduciary perspectives; pharmaceutical […]
- Action Brief
Even though the American Medical Association (AMA) designated obesity as a disease over 10 years ago, employers have continued to address obesity as if it were treatable through lifestyle programs. […]
Coalitions In Action
Membership in the National Alliance is a catalyst for state and regional coalitions and their employer/purchaser members to advance key initiatives. Together, they leverage their collective influence to drive health, equity and value.
Greater Philadelphia Business Coalition on Health
GPBCH convenes an Employer Action Collaborative on Obesity and Diabetes that develops and disseminates resources for employers, including a Comprehensive Benefit Design for Obesity, addressing lifestyle, pharmacologic, and surgical benefits to support healthy weight and promote equity and mental health. The Coalition’s Action Briefs on anti-obesity medication coverage, and bariatric surgery design also are available upon request. GPBCH is engaged locally and nationally in promoting the National Diabetes Prevention Program.
St. Louis Area Business Health Coalition
Obesity, with its links to many chronic conditions, is a costly concern for businesses. By offering holistic benefits, employers can play an important role in an employee's weight management journey. Among the BHC wellbeing toolkits is one focusing on obesity in the workplace.
Midwest Business Group on Health
As a metabolic disease with genetic, environmental and psychological factors, obesity is associated with poorer mental health outcomes and reduced quality of life. The economic burden for employers is significant. This toolkit offers tools and resources to help address this costly, multi-faceted chronic disease.
Northeast Business Group on Health (NEBGH)
NEBGH offers a comprehensive action guide for employers on obesity, diabetes and racial health equity. The guide includes checklists with step-by-step guidance and addresses the reality that Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) employees are disproportionately affected by obesity and diabetes and poor outcomes resulting from these diseases.
NEBGH has been designated a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Healthy People 2030 Champion.
The New Science of Obesity
A Chronic Illness with Promising Treatments
Research has revealed complex physiological underpinnings to obesity. This is important for employers to understand as they assess benefit design programs and offerings that can impact obesity care and treatment.
Reframing obesity as a chronic disease necessitates a multidisciplinary whole-person health approach, involving care such as lifestyle counseling, mental health support, medication, and surgery, all delivered with a commitment to lifelong condition management.