ICYMI: EveryBODY Covered and BWHI Discuss Obesity’s Impact on Black Women and the Need for Obesity Care Coverage on Instagram Live

The Alliance for Women’s Health & Prevention’s (AWHP) EveryBODY Covered campaign and Black Women’s Health Imperative (BWHI) recently joined forces for a powerful Instagram Live conversation: “More Than a Number: Black Women’s Fight for Obesity Care.”  

Hosted by Michele Tedder, Senior Program Manager at BWHI, this event brought together influential voices in women’s health and obesity care, including Millicent Gorham, CEO of AWHP; Dr. Holly Lofton, Director of Medical Weight Management at NYU Langone; and Latesha Byrd, Founder and CEO of Perfeqta. 

Together, they tackled the overlooked realities of obesity and weight bias, and how these issues uniquely impact the health and well-being of Black women, highlighting the urgent need to expand coverage for obesity care. 

Recognizing Obesity as a Chronic Disease

The panelists emphasized that leading medical experts recognize obesity as a chronic disease with serious impacts on women that must be treated like any other disease.  

“The science is very clear,” Millicent Gorham said. “Obesity is not just a lifestyle condition. It’s a disease that deserves real, evidence-based care.” 

Additionally, they underscored the importance of access to obesity care to advancing health equity, as too many women are being denied access to the full range of comprehensive obesity care options, which can include nutritional therapy, intensive behavioral therapy, surgery and FDA-approved medications.  

Tackling Bias and Stigma in Obesity Care 

During the event, participants addressed how weight bias and stigma can present unique barriers to women of color living with obesity. The panelists made a clarion call for individualized care that considers each patient’s goals as well as environmental and physiological factors. Rather than focusing on reaching a specific BMI—which is not always the best indicator of health—providers must aim to help individuals feel comfortable and support their long-term well-being. People living with obesity must feel safe and cared for.

The Importance of Obesity Care Coverage 

Without adequate insurance coverage, patients are left without access to safe and accessible treatment options. 

“Everyone needs access to all the different types of comprehensive [obesity] care,” Dr. Holly Lofton noted. She went on to explain that a lack of covered options “can further create a disconnect between the idea that obesity and [being] overweight are medical conditions and should be treated as such.”  

How Employers Can Help  

The conversation also explored the ways obesity impacts women in the workplace and opportunities for employers to support their employees living with obesity.  

Latesha Byrd highlighted that “women living with obesity can earn up to 12% less and are less likely to get promoted.” She added, “that has nothing to do with our skills…[or] our expertise…we’re being excluded because of our bodies.” 

In addition to providing training for employees and company leaders around weight stigma and bias, offering comprehensive obesity care coverage is a critical step employers can take.  

Providing coverage for obesity care demonstrates a recognition that obesity is a chronic disease and should be treated like one. It also shows a company’s commitment to supporting employees in getting the care they need to improve their health, as coverage can help reduce barriers to care that we know disproportionately impact Black women and women of color.   

Get Involved 

If you want to help ensure all women can access coverage for obesity care, join the EveryBODY Covered campaign for updates on new resources, to learn about the latest advocacy opportunities and to share your story. 

You can also watch the full Instagram Live here to learn even more about how you can serve as an advocate for expanded obesity care coverage and support Black women living with obesity.