 | |  | | |  | | | Greetings OAC Community! As the summer season continues to shine upon us and we head into fall, we are thrilled to bring you another action-packed edition of OAC Insider. This issue of our monthly newsletter is filled with exhilarating events, education activities and advocacy updates, including registration details about our upcoming Your Weight Matters Convention! Keep reading to learn about all of the exciting things we have in store for you this month! | | | | | | | |  | | |  | | | Get Ready to ENGAGE With Us at YWM2023-Engage! You still have time to register for our annual, in-person Your Weight Matters Engage Convention! Join us September 21-23 in Orlando, FL, for the nation’s leading conference dedicated to bringing together individuals to learn about weight and health from the country’s leading experts. We’ll have top-notch evidence-based educational sessions, hands-on activities and workshops, advocacy trainings, immersive connection opportunities, and SO MUCH MORE. But hurry — registration closes on September 8! Register now! | | | | | | | | | |  | | |  | | | Access to Obesity Care Means Better Health: Obesity Action Coalition Applauds the Reintroduction of the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act in Congress The Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA) was reintroduced in Congress! OAC applauds Senators Tom Carper (D-DE) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Representatives Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), Raul Ruiz (D-CA), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) and Gwen Moore (D-WI) for reintroducing TROA into the 118th Congress. TROA is a bipartisan bill that directly provides Medicare beneficiaries with access to safe and effective obesity treatment tools, including expanded coverage of visits with healthcare providers who specialize in obesity care and FDA-approved anti-obesity medications. Read more. | | OAC Health Talk: Using Music for Self-Care with Stephanie Zaic | LIVE on Thursday, August 24th at 7 p.m. ET Did you know that stress can have an impact on weight? Many people increase their food intake in response to stress. However, music is an alternative source of comfort and can be a great tool in your coping toolbox! In this OAC Health Talk, licensed social worker and board-certified music therapist Stephanie Zaic will break down the concept of music therapy and teach you how to create a musical biography and playlist for self-care. Sign up for free. | | Advancing Health Equity: OAC at the National Black Caucus of State Legislators’ State of Black Health in America Policy Forum Earlier this month, OAC had the honor of attending and presenting at the National Black Caucus of State Legislators' (NBCSL) first State of Black Health in America Policy Forum in Seattle, WA. The Policy Forum focused on obesity and mental health and addressed health disparities and solutions, and OAC's Director of Policy Strategy & Alliance, Tracy Zvenyach, PhD, MS, RN, presented on policy options, Medicaid initiatives and obstacles regarding addressing obesity. OAC is honored to have participated in this important forum and looks forward to future collaborations with NBCSL on policy solutions to improve obesity care in Black communities. Read more. | | OAC Fresh Perspectives: Can You Be Body Positive and Still Want to Lose Weight? The ultimate goals of body positivity involve promoting respect and acceptance of differences and the right of each of us to choose what is best for our health. Those are also goals of the Obesity Action Coalition. In this episode of Fresh Perspectives, OAC members reflect on body positivity and how it relates to people with obesity. The group discusses common misconceptions, how healthcare providers can promote the movement to their patients, and how each member practices accepting their bodies. Watch now. | | OAC President & CEO Joe Nadglowski Presents at Louisiana Obesity Society’s Inaugural Conference This month, the Louisiana Obesity Society hosted its inaugural conference in New Orleans. Physicians, psychologists, advanced practice providers, dietitians, and others committed to treating and preventing obesity in Louisiana came together to formally launch the Louisiana Obesity Society and participate in the conference. At the conference, Joe Nadglowski, OAC’s President & CEO, delivered a presentation on obesity stigma and bias, where he provided a number of tips and advice for working with people living with obesity. Read more. | | | | | | | | Decades of Advocacy in Obesity Care with Amber Huett-Garcia This month, we spotlight former OAC Board Chair Amber Huett-Garcia, MPA, who has dedicated decades to obesity care advocacy. In her blog post, Amber draws from personal experience to champion understanding and support for those facing similar challenges. Read Amber's story. | | | | | | | |  | | |  | | | Letter to the Editor: Cassidy's bill would help those on Medicare get obesity drugs In a letter to the editor published on nola.com, OAC Member Donna H. Ryan, MD, thanked U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, for reintroducing the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA). In her letter, Donna points out that Senator Cassidy’s background as a physician gives him the opportunity to craft meaningful legislation that can save and improve the quality of life for many Americans. Read more. | | | | | | | |  | | |  | | | Turning Dreams into Reality: Celebrating the Success of the Rob Portinga Memorial Scholarship Program The goal of our Scholarship Program has always been to make anyone’s wish to attend in person the OAC’s Your Weight Matters Convention a reality, and we are proud to announce that this year we have met our goal! Every applicant for the Rob Portinga Memorial Scholarship has been awarded a grant and has the chance to attend YWM2023-Engage. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to anyone who donated for being the reason more individuals develop bonds and experience top-notch education. But our mission doesn't stop here. To ensure a brighter future for even more deserving applicants, we need to keep the fund going strong. Your contribution can create lasting change and make attending YWM Convention a reality for years to come. Better yet, Geisinger is still generously matching donations dollar for dollar to the Scholarship Fund, which means your donation will make double the impact for future opportunities. Make a donation today to continue empowering our Community. | | | | | | | | Obesity Action Coalition
4511 North Himes Ave., Suite 250 | Tampa, Florida 33614
(800) 717-3117 | [email protected] | | | | | The Obesity Action Coalition is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to elevating and empowering individuals affected by obesity through education, advocacy and support. We work to raise awareness of and eliminate weight bias and discrimination in healthcare, education, media and the workplace; fight to improve access to science-based treatment and care of obesity for those who choose to seek it; and provide support through education and community events. | | | | | | | | | | | |
