Hispanic Heritage Month Spotlight: Breaking Barriers in Obesity Care with Dr. Veronica Vital, PhD, MLS, RN

Obesity is a women’s health issue that particularly impacts women of color, including 43% of Hispanic women. In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, EveryBODY Covered sat down with Dr. Veronica Vital, President of EveryBODY Covered campaign partner the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN), a nonprofit organization devoted to ensuring high-quality health care delivery to Hispanic communities and promoting professional excellence among bilingual and bicultural nurses. 

With 27 years of experience spanning academia, research, pediatrics, women’s health and community health, Dr. Vital has been an active NAHN member since 1997. The organization is celebrating 50 years of advancing health equity and expanding educational, professional and leadership opportunities. We spoke to Dr. Vital about her experience seeking obesity care and how expanding obesity care coverage can play a pivotal role in closing health gaps and improving outcomes, especially for Hispanic communities. 

Read below for a summary of our discussion with Dr. Vital. 

EveryBODY Covered: Obesity affects 43% of Hispanic women, increasing the risk of more than 200 serious health conditions. Can you talk about the impact obesity has on the Hispanic community and why it’s such an important issue to address?  

Obesity has a profound and far-reaching impact on Hispanic communities, particularly women. Nearly half of Hispanic women are affected, and the consequences go far beyond physical health. Obesity increases the risk of more serious conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, liver disease and certain cancers, all of which are already prevalent in our communities. 

Obesity is not just a medical issue, it is a deeply social, cultural, and economic issue as well. Our nutritional patterns are tied to our culture, traditions and family gatherings. Yet, changes related to generational arrival to the US and shifts towards more sedentary lifestyles have significantly impacted health outcomes. For many families, limited access to safe spaces for exercise, culturally appropriate nutrition education and affordable healthy foods contribute to these disparities.

“Obesity is not just a medical issue, it is a deeply social, cultural, and economic issue as well.”

This is also an equity issue. Families often navigate healthcare systems with limited resources. They face stigma and experience disparities in care that lead to generational cycles of poor health.

Addressing obesity is not only about treating a disease. It is about honoring our community’s promise for a healthier life and more equitable future and ensuring that our children and grandchildren have better opportunities for wellness.  

EveryBODY Covered: Despite the widespread impact obesity has on Hispanic women, many evidence-based treatments—nutrition counseling, behavioral therapy, bariatric surgery and obesity management medications—are still not covered by insurance. From your perspective, what happens to patients, families and communities when these treatments remain out of reach?  

Dr. Vital: When evidence-based treatments are not available, the consequences ripple through entire families and communities. Patients are left with managing a complex and chronic disease without the tools or resources they need, resulting in worsening health outcomes, increased disability and greater economic instability. Families are faced with missed workdays, mounting medical bills and reduced quality of life. The lack of access also undermines the trust in the healthcare system, particularly among Hispanic families already managing multiple chronic conditions.  

“When evidence-based treatments are not available, the consequences ripple through entire families and communities.”

Employers, policymakers and decision makers need to recognize that obesity is the root cause of many comorbidities. Covering evidence-based treatment offers significant offset of costs to the entire healthcare system by preventing downstream complications, improving productivity and ultimately enhancing the quality of life for patients living with obesity. 

I struggled with obesity after I had breast cancer. After I received obesity treatment, my blood levels are normal, I feel healthier, I’m more active and I’m a testament to why having access to obesity care is so important.  

EveryBODY Covered: What are the biggest barriers nurses face in delivering culturally relevant, accessible obesity care? How can nurses serve as both providers and advocates to push for more equitable coverage? 

Dr. Vital: Nurses are on the frontlines of patient care, and they witness firsthand the barriers to delivering culturally relevant and accessible obesity care. Some of those barriers include language differences and limited availability of bilingual health care providers. There’s also a lack of culturally tailored nutrition education, particularly for families whose diets incorporate traditionally Hispanic foods.  

Nurses often act as cultural brokers, bridging that gap between patients and providers and ensuring that care reflects cultural values, traditions and lived realities. Effective care must incorporate culturally relevant nutritional strategies instead of a generic, one-size-fits-all plan. 

Beyond providing care, nurses serve as advocates, building trust with patients, engaging community partners and pushing for policies that expand access to obesity treatment. Through NAHN, we amplify these efforts nationally, ensuring that Hispanic nurses are shaping the conversations on health equity and obesity care.  

EveryBODY Covered: Some still view obesity as a condition driven by “lifestyle choices” despite it being widely recognized by healthcare providers as a chronic disease. This perception has created barriers to accessing comprehensive obesity care. What would you say to decision makers who question whether obesity should be viewed as a public health priority? 

Dr. Vital: Obesity is not simply a lifestyle choice. It is a complex, chronic disease influenced by genetics, environment, culture, social determinants of health and systemic inequities. Dismissing it as a personal failing reinforces stigma and it prevents us from implementing effective evidence-based solutions.  For the Latino community, where nearly half Hispanic women are affected, failing to prioritize obesity as a public health issue worsens disparities. 

“Prioritizing obesity care is an investment in the well-being and prosperity of our nation. Our collective future depends on that.”

I urge decision makers to recognize that addressing obesity is foundational to improving overall health equity. By expanding access to treatments, supporting culturally informed prevention strategies and investing in community-based education, we can break cycles of illness and reduce the economic burden on families, employers and the healthcare system. Prioritizing obesity care is an investment in the well-being and prosperity of our nation. Our collective future depends on that. 

EveryBODY Covered: Why is it important that we as a nation recognize Hispanic Heritage Month? 

Dr. Vital: Recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month brings awareness of the work and value that Hispanics bring to this country. It’s about not forgetting our past, our history and the trailblazers that have come before us who have experienced inequities and paved the way for us to thrive today. It’s about celebrating our culture, our existence and not forgetting where we come from.  

To learn more about NAHN, visit their website. To support access to obesity care for the Hispanic community and all people living with obesity, use EveryBODY Covered’s resource to get started.