| Bringing you OAC's latest news, stories and opportunities so you can stay connected |
|  | February 2025 Monthly Updates: February is a busy and exciting month for OAC! As we wrap up the final stretch of winter, we’re thrilled to launch our new Thrive Together Youth and Families Program, introduce our 20th Anniversary hub and gear up for Obesity Care Week (March 3-7). Plus, big news for the 2025 Your Weight Matters National Convention—registration is opening soon, along with the program agenda and room block details! And that’s just the start—this month’s newsletter is packed with important updates, so keep reading! |
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| Join OAC in Getting Involved with Obesity Care Week! |
| It's almost here! OAC is a proud Founding Champion of Obesity Care Week (OCW), a global awareness campaign that aims to advance a science and clinically-based understanding of obesity and widespread access to respectful, comprehensive and appropriate care. This year's theme is "Commit to Care," and OAC is asking our supporters to get involved next week, March 3-7! |
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| | Three things you can do to get ready with us: ✍️ Show you support accessible, affordable, respectful and compassionate care for individuals affected by obesity by signing the OCW "Commit to Care" Pledge. 🚨 Sign up for OCW Alerts to get updates, educational resources, action opportunities and more. 💻 Register for the "Welcome to Congress" virtual briefing that kicks off OCW on Monday, March 3 at 12 PM ET. Hear the latest on coverage for obesity care, upcoming policy changes and real stories of those facing barriers. With a crucial CMS decision ahead, it's time for Congress to Commit to Care! |
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| OAC Community Spotlight:
Our Members Commit to Care! |
| | | What does committing to care look like for you? Share on social media using #ObesityCareWeek and #CommitToCare! The OCW toolkit has a printable sign that we encourage you to snap a picture with. 📸 |
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| Hot Off the Press! OAC Latest News |
| Introducing OAC's New Thrive Together Youth and Families Program! OAC is excited to launch Thrive Together, a new program designed to support youth and families navigating weight and health. The program will provide tailored resources, guidance and support to address common challenges such as weight management, body image, healthy eating, physical activity, mental health and more. The first quarterly newsetter arrives in March, delivering all this and more straight to your inbox! To learn more about Thrive Together and sign up for the email list, CLICK HERE. |
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| | Key Dates for OAC's 2025 National Convention Registration for the Your Weight Matters National Convention, the nation's leading gathering for individuals on a journey with weight and health, opens March 12! That same week, we'll also be opening up the hotel Room Block and unveiling the Program Agenda with the educational topics and speakers lined up. Interested in attending and want to get event updates? Sign up for Convention Alerts! |
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| | OAC Creates 20th Anniversary Online Hub and Reflects on Two Decades of Impact OAC is celebrating 20 years of education, awareness, advocacy and support! As we look back at the last two decades and the milestones that shaped our journey, we invite our Community to celebrate with us and get involved in the various activities we're planning—including a themed creative contest, a Step Challenge, limited-edition OAC merchandise, an in-person celebration at our National Convention and much more. Join the fun at ObesityAction.org/20years! |
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| | | Strong Public Support for Expanding Obesity Care OAC has been actively urging our members and the public to advocate for the CMS proposed rule to expand Medicare coverage for obesity medications—and the response has been overwhelming. More than 31,213 comments were submitted to Regulations.gov, with over 17,000 mentioning obesity, showing strong public support. With the Final Rule expected in April, OAC will continue pushing for this much-needed policy change. Use the OAC Action Center to urge President Trump and his administration to prioritize obesity care and support the CMS proposed rule! |
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| | Advocating for Patient Safety in Compounded Medications OAC is committed to ensuring patient safety when it comes to compounded obesity medications. We continue to advocate for stricter labeling, distribution and adverse event reporting to protect patients from potential risks. Recently, OAC has voiced strong opposition to proposed changes in Florida that could expand the manufacturing and resale of compounded drugs without proper safeguards. In California, we’ve provided input on regulations to ensure strict quality standards for compounded GLP-1 products. We will continue to update on this topic as new research and policies are announced. To learn more about OAC's work around compounded medications, CLICK HERE. |
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| OAC Educational Resources |
| A New Issue of Weight Matters Magazine is Here! The Winter 2025 issue of Weight Matters Magazine is here! This special edition kicks off OAC's 20th Anniversary with fun winter activities for families, healthy slow cooker recipes, and the inspiring story of a teenager whose life was changed by OAC’s new Youth & Families Program—plus much more. Read it online now! Want a print copy of Weight Matters Magazine? In honor of our 20th Anniversary, you can get this benefit and more by joining OAC Community+ Membership for just $20 this year! |
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| New OAC Health Talk: Obesity and Heart Health In recognition of American Heart Month, OAC released a Health Talk last week on obesity and heart health. Renowned cardiologist Dr. Harlan Krumholz, MD, SM shared exciting new discoveries about obesity treatments, their benefits for heart health and how they help the heart function more effectively. He also shared fascinating insights into sedentary behavior. Watch the episode on YouTube! |
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| | | | Support Thrive Together: Empower Youth & Families! This week, OAC proudly launched Thrive Together, our new Youth and Families program dedicated to providing education, support and resources to help young people and their families navigate weight and health with confidence. But we can't do it without you! Your gift today will help us kick off this program strong, reach more families in need and provide critical resources to create a future where every child feels empowered and supported, regardless of their weight. Donate now and change a life! |
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| | | February 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 Structure Therapeutics for renewing at the Silver level, Rhythm Pharmaceuticals for renewing at the Silver level and Biohaven for renewing at the Bronze 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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