Health equity in weight management
Provided by AAFP partner
Author: Lia Gass Rodriguez, MD, FAAP, Chief Medical Officer, CVS Healthspire Payor Solutions
Obesity is rampant in the United States, affecting more than 40 percent of American adults, with more than 9 percent of cases qualifying as severe.1 Its impacts disproportionately affect people in certain racial and ethnic groups and people from low-income households.
Viewing obesity as merely a result of poor lifestyle choices overlooks the influence of social determinants of health (SDoH) and the steps we can take to address these disparities to promote greater health equity.
Social determinants of metabolic health
For Americans living in lower-income communities, the standard advice to eat healthy and exercise more may be logistically harder to accomplish. Millions of Americans live beyond walking distance to a supermarket, and many lack access to reliable transportation.2
Living in a “food desert” can make it hard to maintain a nutritious and balanced diet. Safe spaces for regular physical activity may also be scarce.
Inadequate health care resources in lower-income communities can make it difficult to get even basic preventive care, and it is especially challenging to connect with a specialist, such as a registered dietitian or other clinician trained in obesity care. As a result, many people do not have access to effective treatment.
Additionally, mental health issues, social stigma and fear of discrimination can be obstacles to seeking help. Obesity is linked to numerous health conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. So, it’s not surprising that we see similar disparities in these disease categories.
The path to health equity
Given these disparities, there is a clear opportunity for weight management programs to proactively identify and address SDoH. An equitable program should include:
A “whole-person” approach that looks beyond numbers on a scale to monitor other areas of health, including preventive health and condition management
A virtual care model that expands reach to those who can’t see a weight management specialist in person
Broader access to effective therapies, including weight management medication, with effective utilization management to help ensure appropriate coverage and clinical oversight
Personalized lifestyle and nutrition coaching that considers individual and cultural preferences
SDoH training for clinicians to help monitor patients for food insecurity, transportation issues, financial hardship and social connectedness
Proactive screening for mental health and SDoH, with connections to support services
Easy-to-use self-service tools, including virtual chats, to help with meal planning, mental health or daily support
CVS Health® is committed to providing greater quality, simplicity and choice when it comes to health and wellness, including weight management programs and self-service tools.
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