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Bringing you OAC's latest news, stories and opportunities so you can stay connected |
|  | January 2025 Monthly Updates: The New Year is off to a rocket-fast start! This January, as we launched into 2025, the OAC doubled down on its advocacy efforts at the federal, state and local levels. We’re also gearing up to share some exciting announcements soon in celebration of our 20th Anniversary. That’s right—if you haven’t heard, the OAC is celebrating two decades of education, awareness, advocacy and support in 2025! Keep reading to catch up on the latest updates from the last month at OAC. |
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|  | Speaking of our 20th Anniversary...what's an Anniversary without a touch of nostalgia? It's the perfect time to reflect on where we've been and where we're headed. In the Winter 2025 issue of OAC's Weight Matters Magazine, we're kicking off this time of reflection by sitting down with OAC Board Chairs—past and present—to ask them a few questions: - "What were your priorities during your term?"
- "How has the OAC changed since your time as Chair?"
- "What is your hope for the future of the OAC?"
While the full responses will be featured in the February issue, we couldn’t wait to share a sneak peek! Check out our blog to get a glimpse of what they had to say. Want a print issue of Weight Matters Magazine? Add on Community+ Membership for only $20 this year in honor of our 20th Anniversary! |
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Hot Off the Press: Latest News |
| Hurry! Today (January 27) is the Last Day to Voice Your Support for the CMS Proposed Rule Around Obesity Medications As you're getting this newsletter, today is the last day to submit a Public Comment on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) Proposed Rule to expand access to obesity medications. This federal policy could benefit millions of Americans seeking evidence-based tools to help them manage weight and improve their health—so we need your voice in this fight! Since the Proposed Rule was announced in November 2024, more than 700 advocates have used the OAC Action Center to voice their support. Before 5 pm today, if you haven't already, please submit a Public Comment! |
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| For more information about the CMS Proposed Rule, see our blog post to access webinars and one-pagers we've created for your convenience. |
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OAC Welcomes Two New Board Members in 2025 The OAC is excited to announce the addition of two incredible leaders on our Board of Directors! Both bring fresh perspectives and a deep history of supporting our mission. |
| Kesha Calicutt Kesha Calicutt is an educator, health advocate and founding member of OAC's Diversity and Inclusion Taskforce. A special education teacher and Education Advisory Member for The Educator Collective, she has always been passionate about empowering others and creating inclusive environments. Kesha has also been an OAC Member since attending our inaugural Your Weight Matters National Convention in 2012! |
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| Angela Fitch, MD, FACP, FOMA Dr. Angela Fitch is a nationally recognized, triple board-certified leader in obesity medicine. As the Immediate Past-President of the Obesity Medicine Association and Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder of knownwell, she has devoted her career to non-stigmatizing obesity care. Dr. Fitch’s impressive background has included serving as Co-Director of the Massachusetts General Hospital Weight Center, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard University, and a founding member of the Massachusetts Coalition for Action on Obesity. |
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A New Way to Define and Diagnose Obesity The Lancet Commission on Clinical Obesity released a global consensus report redefining obesity, moving beyond BMI to focus on how excess fat impacts health. Supported by more than 70 patient, professional and scientific groups—including the OAC—this marks a major shift in understanding, diagnosing and treating obesity. OAC’s President and CEO, Joe Nadglowski, and many experts we work with contributed to this important report. Learn more about the new obesity definitions on our Blog. |
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Program & Advocacy Updates: |
| | OAC Health Talks: New Episode Available! Liver Health and Obesity Catch the latest episode of OAC Health Talks that we aired last week on YouTube with Jonathan Stine, MD, MSc, FACP about the critical role of the liver and how obesity can impact liver health. There's a surprise fact about coffee you'll want to check out! Watch Now |
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Your Weight Matters National Convention Registration + Program Agenda Coming SOON! We can't wait for the Your Weight Matters National Convention to return in Washington, DC this July, featuring special activities for OAC's 20th Anniversary! Registration opens in March, along with a Program Agenda packed with science-based sessions led by nationally-recognized experts. We won't spill the beans just yet, but we've secured some speakers that are going to make you excited! Those speaker announcements are coming soon—don't miss them! Sign up for Convention Alerts here to stay updated. |
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Your Weight Matters Regional is Headed to Louisville Next Month! On February 22, our first Your Weight Matters Regional Event of the year is taking place in Louisville! We're excited to bring free, science-based education about weight and health to more communities in 2025. More cities will be announced soon! Learn More / Get Your Weight Matters Regional Alerts |
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OAC Top Policy Priorities for 2025 As the 119th Congressional session begins and a new administration takes office, the OAC is excited to continue driving change through advocacy to improve access to safe, effective obesity care. What's on the agenda for our policy-focused efforts in 2025? We've broken our topic policy priorities down on our Blog. |
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Resources for the New Year |
|  | Ready to Talk About Your Weight? Start the Conversation with the Your Weight Matters Challenge Did you know that most people don’t talk to their doctors about their weight when they are struggling? There’s often fear or intimidation that holds us back from having this important conversation. The Your Weight Matters Campaign is here to help change that. Those who take the Challenge receive a FREE toolkit (available in both English and Spanish) filled with resources, tips and information to support your conversation with a healthcare professional about weight and health. This toolkit isn’t just for you—it’s a great resource to share with others, too. Leave a copy in your doctor’s waiting room or share it with someone who could benefit. Take the challenge today—because your health matters! P.S. If you're looking for a healthcare professional who is trained in providing obesity care, try using OAC's Obesity Care Provider Locator. |
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| | Leave a Lasting Impact with Planned Giving If you support the OAC's mission to elevate and empower those affected by obesity—and want to help make a difference for generations to come—consider joining our Planned Giving Program. Whether it's including OAC in your estate plans, will or trust, or designating us in your non-probate assets, we offer several ways for you to leave a legacy of support. Our Planned Giving supporters hold a special place in our hearts! Click here to explore our Planned Giving options. |
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| | | January OAC Corporate Council Updates The OAC's Corporate Council recognizes companies and organizations who support our mission and play an integral role in helping us provide education, advocacy and support. This month, we want to thank Nestle Health Science for joining at the Silver level, Genentech and Medtronic for renewing at the Silver level, and ProCare Health for renewing at the Patron level. Click here to learn more about the OAC Corporate Council. |
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| Join OAC Community+ for Only $20 This Year! If you love receiving updates from the OAC and don't want to miss out on anything we do or offer, we encourage you to join OAC Community+ Membership for only $20 this year in honor of our 20th Anniversary! Upgrading to a Community+ Membership gives you special access to OAC's offerings, such as live support chats, a print issue of Weight Matters Magazine each quarter, discounts and advance registration for events, and much more. |
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Obesity Action Coalition
4511 North Himes Ave., Suite 250 | Tampa, Florida 33614
(800) 717-3117 | [email protected] |
| Follow Us on Social Media! | The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) 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. LEARN MORE |
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