Take Action on Issues That Matter to You!
Take action on important issues on access to care, policy and weight bias. You can also read our list of anytime actions that are ways you can help move the organization forward in ways that appeal to you. Have an issue? Use our access to care and weight bias reporting tools to share with us these challenges. No matter how big or small, your actions create change!
- Take Action Now:
- Access and Policy Issues
- Weight Bias Issues
- Report Issues
Take Action: Support the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act!
Despite increased scientific understanding of the disease of obesity, many policymakers and society as a whole continue to view obesity as a lifestyle choice or personal failing. These attitudes are rooted in bias – not science – and have failed us. There are evidence-based, FDA-approved treatments for people with obesity that mitigate the impacts of the disease and improve health outcomes. But our system remains fractured and coverage options for obesity treatments are only available for a lucky few who live in the right zip code or work for the right employer.
The Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA) is bipartisan legislation that provides Medicare beneficiaries with access to safe, effective, and life-saving treatments. The bill aims to effectively treat and reduce obesity in older Americans by enhancing Medicare beneficiaries’ access to healthcare providers that are best suited to provide intensive behavioral therapy (IBT) and by allowing Medicare Part D to cover Food & Drug Administration (FDA)-approved anti-obesity medications (AOMs).
Urge your representatives to support the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act! A customizable template letter has been created for you and it just takes a few minutes to help change the way we treat obesity. Take Action Now!
Take Action: Ensure That Medications and Labels Are Safe for People with Obesity!
People living with obesity often use prescribed medications for the treatment of various health conditions, like diabetes and high blood pressure. Unfortunately, many medications have not been fully tested on people with obesity. Medications or medical devices may be less (or sometimes more) effective for people with obesity, and this can have real consequences and possibly lead to harm.
The FDA has a history of updating clinical trial requirements. For example, FDA added testing on women and not just in men, and then required children if medications were likely to be used by kids. Given that people with obesity make up 42% of adults in the U.S., and add on another 31% with pre-obesity, it’s time to ensure that medications are safe and effective for people with obesity.
Take action now to urge the FDA to ensure that medications are safe and effective, and that people with obesity are included in clinical trials! A customizable template letter has been created for you and it just takes a few minutes to help change the way we treat obesity.
Take Action: Stop Weight Bias!
More than 130 million Americans live with obesity, with Minnesota ranking 26th in states impacted by obesity. The Minnesota minor league baseball team, the St. Paul Saints, recently announced the name of their mascot as ‘Ozempig’ and gave the pig a backstory of trying to lose weight. Despite pushback, the baseball team has decided to stick with the offensive name.
The St. Paul Saints mascot name does real harm, reinforcing negative attitudes, beliefs, judgments, and stereotypes that lead to discriminatory acts aimed at individuals simply because of their weight or diabetes status. It is also dehumanizing and damaging, as it causes poor physical and psychological health outcomes and promotes a social norm that marginalizes people with obesity and diabetes. People with diabetes and obesity should be treated with dignity and respect regardless of their size or weight, and the St. Paul Saints should change its mascot’s name immediately.
Take action now to urge the St. Paul Saints to change their mascot’s name! A customizable template letter has been created for you and it just takes a few minutes to help change the way we treat obesity.
OAC Action Fund
The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) has been at the forefront of advocating for and supporting individuals affected by obesity. Now, we’re excited to introduce the Action Fund, a powerful resource designed to empower our community and activists to drive meaningful change.
By supporting the Action Fund, you become a vital part of our collective efforts to foster a better, more just world. Together, we can make a profound impact on the lives of individuals affected by obesity and create lasting change in our communities and beyond.
Donate Now and be a part of the movement for change.