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Health Care Advocates Unveil Historic Obesity Bill of Rights

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Contrary to the common biases of people with chronic obesity, Dr. Fatima Stanford, an obesity medicine physician scientist and staunch supporter of the Obesity Bill of Rights, told The Informer that beyond poor eating habits, pathophysiology explains the root of chronic obesity, as food intake is regulated in the brain.
The post Health Care Advocates Unveil Historic Obesity Bill of Rights first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

9 months ago

February 19, 2024

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By Lindiwe Vilakazi | Washington Informer

In efforts to create a supportive ecosystem for people facing chronic obesity nationwide, an influential collection of public health groups, aging experts, and leading consumer advocates introduced the Obesity Bill of Rights. The goal of the bill is to protect the dignity and autonomy of those battling obesity.

Spearheaded by the National Council on Aging (NCOA) alongside the National Consumers League (NCL), the initiative sets a plan of action to reframe obesity care in employer, federal, and state policies. Inspired by a yearlong effort of research and community feedback, the Obesity Bill of Rights is a landmark effort in targeting how the healthcare industry and legislators alike will address the chronic yet commonly undiagnosed disease.

“Our aim with the Obesity Bill of Rights is to designate quality obesity care as the inherent right of all adults, empowering those with the disease to demand unbiased treatment, regardless of their size or weight,” Sally Greenberg, CEO of the National Consumers League, said in a statement.

The legislative proposal outlines eight key fundamental rights designed to ensure proper care and protection for individuals with obesity, including proper diagnosis, screening, counseling, and sufficient treatment under medical guidelines, while obliterating ageism and weight bias across the healthcare system.

Statistics show that out of 108 million adults who are living with obesity, only 30 million have been diagnosed, and only 2% of those individuals who are eligible for anti-obesity prescriptions have actually received medical treatments.

Further, officials highlight bleak outcomes for cases of untreated obesity, leading to over 230 medical conditions, including high blood pressure, heart disease, certain cancers, and diabetes.

Dorothea Vafiadis conducts obesity town halls across the country to garner deeper analysis behind the experiences and concerns of individuals with obesity. As senior director for the National Council on Aging, Vafiadis shared the sentiments of many obese Americans, many of whom felt invisible and hopeless from a lack of support and proper treatment within medical spaces.

“Many people with obesity feel stuck because they don’t get the care that they need, especially people of color, but older adults with obesity face both ageism and weight stigma. In Jackson, Mississippi, at a faith-based organization, we had an older adult man stand up and say,

‘We live sick and we die quick,’ as he had lost several relatives to diet-related obesity, all dying around the age of 50,” Vafiadis told The Informer. “It was very powerful to hear the stories of older adults and their search for information to be recognized, to get the care that they need and to feel supported.”

The Obesity Bill of Rights highlights the severe disparities in chronic obesity seen in communities of color, particularly among the Black American community.

Nearly 48% of African American adults are clinically obese, with 37.1% of men and 56.6% of women, compared to 32.6% of white Americans.

The Office of Minority Health reports that roughly 4 out of 5 African American women are overweight or obese, while in 2018, 1.3 non-Hispanic Black people were more likely to be obese as compared to their non-Hispanic white counterparts, largely explaining why obesity is deemed a national crisis.

Contrary to the common biases of people with chronic obesity, Dr. Fatima Stanford, an obesity medicine physician-scientist and staunch supporter of the Obesity Bill of Rights, told The Informer that beyond poor eating habits, pathophysiology explains the root of chronic obesity, as food intake is regulated in the brain.

Stanford emphasized the crucial importance of reducing stigma and bias towards patients managing obesity in medical spaces, as obesity shows to be a complex chronic disease largely influenced by a multitude of factors including food insecurity, trauma, and psychological triggers outside of the common focus on dietary habits.

“A lot of people talk about biological or medical reasons, age-related changes. Those menopausal changes and perimenopausal changes will affect you. Genetics and epigenetics, something about us being Black [people] may affect us. Different medications that are prescribed to us, [or] sleep deficit may affect us, but we don’t ever hear about those things,” said Stanford.

She considered mental health as a contributing factor to many obesity struggles.

“What was mom’s stress? What was her obesity? What were all of mom’s issues when she was going through pregnancy? What is your trauma history? Are you dealing with emotional coping issues? We haven’t talked about those issues.”

The Obesity Bill of Rights has received a collective endorsement from 36 leading organizations, including the American Nurses Association, the Academy of Nutrition, and the Obesity Action Coalition. Likewise, the collective’s efforts are publicly backed by prominent policy makers such as Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI), and Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), who are also leading the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA) to push expansion of access to obesity treatments across the country.

“Obesity is a chronic condition – not a personal or moral failing. We need to ensure our health care system treats it as a disease so that Americans with obesity can access holistic, high-quality care that meets the full spectrum of their needs,” Moore said.

The post Health Care Advocates Unveil Historic Obesity Bill of Rights first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me

NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 9, 2024

Oakland Post

Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.

A Familiar Disappointment

I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.

In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.

The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough

On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?

Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.

One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.

A Call for Action Beyond Words

White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.

If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health

The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]

Published

2 weeks ago

November 7, 2024

BlackPressUSA.com

The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.

“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”

To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.

Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.

“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”

For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org