Call by two former Surgeon Generals for Direct Health Policy Reform to STOP obesity
Health Reform Needed
Physicians and health activists like me have been trying to raise awareness for the fight against the obesity epidemic. Health policy is obviously a hot topic, especially after Obama’s address to congress yesterday. Not surprisingly, now leading health policy makers are taking up the charge. Below are excerpts from the STOP Obesity Alliance press release. Read the official release at the bottom of this post.
The two most recent Surgeons General of the United States, David Satcher, M.D., Ph.D., FAAFP, FACPM, FACP and Richard H. Carmona, M.D., M.P.H., FACS, today led the Strategies to Overcome and Prevent (STOP) Obesity Alliance in urging policymakers to take direct action in health reform to address obesity and the chronic diseases associated with it.
Dr. Richard H. Carmona, 17th U.S. Surgeon General, Health and Wellness Chairperson of the STOP Obesity Alliance and President of Canyon Ranch Institute says, “Obesity now impacts every aspect of our lives, including the future of our health care system. Health reform that directly addresses obesity will save lives, save money, and improve the health and well-being of every American.”
Dr. David Satcher, 16th U.S. Surgeon General says, that due to the complexity of the obesity epidemic, “Until we collaborate to address obesity through meaningful, population-based policies and programs, our nation will continue to be crippled by obesity and the chronic diseases it causes.”
The STOP Obesity Alliance released four targeted recommendations designed to improve the dialogue and interventions around obesity. The following elements should be included in health reform:
• Standardized and effective clinical interventions, flowing from evidence-based guidelines, such as those approved by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), that include acknowledging the health benefits of five to ten percent sustained weight loss to aid and support those individuals who are currently overweight or obese achieve improved health.
• Enhanced use of clinical preventive services to monitor health status and help prevent weight gain, especially for individuals who are already overweight and are at risk of becoming obese.
• Effective, evidence-based community programs and policies that encourage and support healthy lifestyles, focus on health literacy, address health disparities, and represent a significant investment in population-based prevention of obesity.
• Coordinated research efforts to build the evidence for all three of the above elements, continuously improving quality of care, bolstering our understanding of what does and does not work in various settings, and helping to translate the scientific research into practice recommendations for real-world clinical settings and communities.
“Clearly, America cannot successfully reform the health system without addressing obesity,” said Christine Ferguson, director of the STOP Obesity Alliance. “While the situation is grave, the goal is attainable. The STOP Obesity Alliance recommendations provide a needed focus and a successful plan for health reform.”
See the full press release at:
http://www.stopobesityalliance.org/newsroom/press-releases/16th-and-17th-u-s-surgeons-general-stop-obesity-alliance-announce-america-has-reached-tipping-point-on-obesity-call-for-direct-action/
