 | |  | | |  | | | Happy New Year, OAC Community! 2024 has arrived, and we are eager to make it our most pivotal year yet, continuing to change the world for people with obesity. We plan to make great strides in our focus areas of education, advocacy, awareness and support. We also hope to be an important part of your own journey this year, from helping you meet your personal health goals to empowering you to advocate for yourself and others. As we settle into 2024, we wish you a year full of health, happiness and OAC ACTION! | | | | | | | |  | | |  | | | Introducing Your Weight Matters Regional – A FREE Weight & Health Event Coming to a City Near You! Here at OAC, we understand how challenging it can be to find the RIGHT information about weight and health. That’s why we are thrilled to introduce a BRAND-NEW event series – Your Weight Matters Regional, a FREE weight and health event coming to a city near you! At Your Weight Matters Regional, you’ll explore a wide range of topics, from weight management strategies to nutrition, mental health and much more. Our expert speakers will provide the latest information and science-based strategies to help guide you on your personal health journey. These FREE, half-day events are the perfect place to take that first step to prioritize your health! We’re kicking off in Southern California on February 3, 2024, at the beautiful Cassara Hotel in Carlsbad, CA! Register for FREE or sign up for alerts to be the first to know when we visit a city near you! | | | | | | | | | |  | | |  | | | OAC Welcomes New Members to National Board of Directors for 2024 The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) is proud to introduce three new members to its 2024 National Board of Directors: Jason Krynicki, Michele Tedder, and Linda Shapiro Manning, MD, PhD. We would also like to recognize returning Board Member Debe Gau. These dedicated individuals, committed to improving the lives of those affected by obesity, join in steering the OAC's mission. We are excited to have Jason, Michele, Debe and Dr. Shapiro Manning on our Board of Directors and anticipate another year of groundbreaking achievements. Each of their unique insights enhances our organization’s ability to drive positive change, reinforcing our commitment to education, advocacy, and support for people with obesity. As a nonprofit, the OAC's 2024 National Board, led by dedicated volunteers, continues its legacy of adaptation and positive change for people affected by obesity. Read more. | | FREE OAC Health Talk January 25 at 7 PM EST | Unveiling Disparities: The Gap in Medication Testing for Individuals with Obesity Medications are used every day by people with obesity to treat conditions unrelated to weight, like depression, infections and cancer. People with obesity deserve to know if the medications they use are safe and effective for them, but right now, there is no requirement that new drugs be specifically tested in people with obesity before approval, putting them at unnecessary risk for poorer health outcomes. In this episode of Fresh Perspectives, OAC President and CEO Joe Nadglowski and obesity medicine physician and scientist Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford will discuss the gap in medication testing for individuals with obesity and how advocates can help solve the issue by taking action from home. Sign up for free. | | Black Health Matters Hosts Free Zoom Webinar: What Are You Weighing For? | January 24 at 7 PM EST Join Black Health Matters for “What Are You Weight For?,” an insightful discussion on understanding obesity. Whether you’re seeking guidance on starting your weight management journey or looking to enhance your current approach with valuable information and tools, don’t miss this opportunity to hear from the experts, including Health Advocate and OAC Diversity & Inclusion Member Kesha Calicutt. Free and open to the public, the webinar will be hosted via Zoom on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at 7 pm EST. Register today. | | ICYMI: Read the Latest Edition of ImpactNOW, Obesity Action Coalition's Quarterly Advocacy Update During the final months of 2023, OAC Advocates from across the nation raised their voices to demand dignity and respect for people affected by obesity. We also set the stage for a year of progress and victories ahead. In the latest edition of ImpactNOW, we recognize our hard-working advocates, share updates on our efforts and let you know how you can make a difference! Read now and sign up for alerts about key advocacy issues to stay in the loop. | | Print Brochures and Guides Are Available to Request! The OAC is proud to offer unbiased, science-based education to support individuals along their weight and health journey. To make these resources accessible to all, we’ve produced a wide variety of free print educational materials available to anyone who requests them. Our brochures include our Understanding Obesity Series with details on obesity, childhood obesity and treatment options. We also offer comprehensive brochures on Understanding Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes and Understanding Prediabetes and Excess Weight. You can order these materials free of cost for yourself or a loved one, or for a small fee, in bulk for patients or your community. Request resources. | | | | | | | | OAC Community Perspectives: A Couple’s Take on Obesity, Self-care and Mutual Support This month, we spotlight OAC Board Member Debe Gau and her husband, Kevin. The pair share their journey through love, health and resilience, discussing how Debe's obesity diagnosis prompted a shift from traditional dieting to a comprehensive approach. The couple also emphasizes the importance of community support, personal growth amid life changes, and the key elements for maintaining a strong relationship while navigating health. Read their story. | | | | | | | | | |  | | |  | | | The Incredible Impact of Corporate Matching Does your company or employer support workplace giving? Many employers generously match their employees' gifts to charitable organizations, doubling the impact of your donation. When you contribute through our website, you can instantly check if your company participates in matching, potentially turning your gift into an even greater force for positive change. Give today and see your impact multiply! | | | | | |  | | |  | | | Thank You, seca Medical Body Composition, For Supporting OAC’s Chairman’s Council We are pleased to share that seca Medical Body Composition has joined the OAC's Chairman Council! We strive to partner with industry leaders who share our mission of supporting and empowering individuals in their health journeys. The OAC welcomes organizations or companies who wish to join our highest level of OAC Membership and receive maximum benefits. Our Chairman’s Council is an excellent way to give back to the cause and play an integral role in making the world a better place for people with obesity. Learn more about OAC’s Chairman’s Council. | | | | | | | | | | | | 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. | | | | | | | | | | | |
