State of Obesity 2019: Better Policies for a Healthier America

From the Trust for America’s Health:

“Please join Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) on January 29 as public health leaders discuss the national obesity crisis, its health impacts, and how advocates are working at the national and local levels to address this ongoing epidemic. This web forum explores findings of TFAH’s 2019 State of Obesity report.

The report found that about 1 in 3 Americans of all ages—more than 100 million people—have obesity. The epidemic is estimated to increase national healthcare spending by $149 billion annually, about half of which is paid for by Medicare and Medicaid. Moreover, the rates of U.S. obesity continue to climb, and racial, ethnic, income and geographic disparities persist. For the first time, nine U.S. states (AL, AK, IA, KY, LA, MS, MO, ND and WV) had adult obesity rates at or above 35% in 2018, up from zero states as recently as 2012.

Speakers will cover the latest national and state obesity rates and trends, highlight promising approaches localities have undertaken to ensure healthy communities, and offer national policy recommendations that incorporate innovative approaches that prioritize helping all Americans lead healthier lives. The web forum session will include time for audience Q&A.

This free event is recommended for anyone working in public health, advocacy, school health, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, transportation and planning, hospitals, health systems, insurers, and local and state health officials. Live captioning is available for all attendees.

The State of Obesity 2019 report includes a special section on racial and ethnic disparities in obesity and the webinar will focus on that as well. A few highlights that you can expect at the webinar:

• We’re excited to have Devita Davison join us. She’s the Executive Director of FoodLab Detroit, which focuses on strengthening local urban food/agriculture companies. The majority of businesses she works with are owned by black women. She’s a preacher’s daughter and has done a TED talk so we’re excited to have her share her passion and wisdom with colleagues and advocates.
• Martha Halko, who works for the Cuyahoga County Board of Health (Cleveland, OH) will talk about the board’s work as a CDC REACH grantee and how issues like redlining and systemic racism have and can affect health and how they’re working within the community to respond to these and other inequities.”

Click here for more information about this exciting offering and register.